Helping Writers Become Authors provides writers help in summoning inspiration, crafting solid characters, outlining and structuring novels, and polishing prose. Learn how to write a book and edit it into a story agents will buy and readers will love. (Music intro by Kevin MacLeod.)
S16:E36: The Resolution (Secrets of Story Structure, Pt. 12 of 12)
Discover the importance of the Resolution in storytelling. Learn how to bring closure to your story and leave readers with a final emotion.
14-10-2024 • 11 minuten, 49 seconden
Ep. 648: My Top Books of 2023
Check out some of my favorite books from 2023 in three categories: Fiction, Writing How-To, and General Non-Fiction.
18-12-2023 • 10 minuten, 56 seconden
Ep. 646: How to Market a Book: 6 Steps From a Full-Time Author
Knowing how to market a book starts with identifying your personal marketing ethos. After that, take these six steps to connect with readers.
11-12-2023 • 20 minuten, 13 seconden
Ep. 645: 14 Do's and Don'ts of Time Management for Writers (from a Recovering Over-Achiever)
Time management for writers starts with practical steps for aligning your daily schedule to your vision for your writing life.
27-11-2023 • 19 minuten, 47 seconden
Ep. 644: "There and Back Again": The Lord of the Rings and the Power of Despair in Fiction
To create fiction that offers life-changing hope, authors must be willing to also embrace the power of despair in fiction. Here are 5 tips.
30-10-2023 • 21 minuten, 26 seconden
Ep. 643: How to Use Archetypes in a Series
Consider the following four approaches to how to use archetypes in a series so you can determine which feels most resonant for your story.
9-10-2023 • 17 minuten, 47 seconden
Ep. 642: How Meditation Can Inspire Your Next Story
Whether you're using a guided approach or just freewheeling, here are five ideas for how meditation can inspire your next story idea.
2-10-2023 • 17 minuten, 42 seconden
Ep. 641: Announcing Archetypal Character Guided Meditations! (+Giveaway)
Based on six transformational character arcs, these Archetypal Character Guided Meditations will help writers brainstorm even better stories.
25-9-2023 • 10 minuten, 10 seconden
Ep. 640: What Are Antagonistic Proxies? And How Can They Help Your Story?
Here are four tips for how to use antagonistic proxies to your advantage, depending on your story's needs, without complicating your story.
18-9-2023 • 18 minuten, 1 seconde
Ep. 639: Where Should You Start Plotting Your Story?
An overview of the main concerns when deciding where to start plotting a story, depending on where it makes the most sense for you.
11-9-2023 • 16 minuten, 25 seconden
Ep. 638: Hot Tip for Character Relationships: The Relationship IS a Character
One of the best tricks for writing memorable character relationships is to think of each relationship as an entity of its own. Here's how.
28-8-2023 • 15 minuten, 42 seconden
Ep. 637: How to Rediscover the Joy of Writing
What happens when you lose the joy? Learn how to rediscover the joy of writing you experienced way back at the beginning of your journey,
21-8-2023 • 23 minuten, 9 seconden
What Are Plot Devices? (Why You Should Be Cautious)
Learning how to identify plot devices and fully support them on every page of your story is a huge step toward writing cohesive and resonant fiction.
14-8-2023 • 17 minuten, 30 seconden
Ep. 635: How to Write Interesting Happy Scenes? 6 Tips
Six tips for how to write interesting happy scenes that will become some of your readers favorite moments in the story.
31-7-2023 • 17 minuten, 39 seconden
Ep. 634: 8 Different Types of Scenes
Understanding some of the main types of scenes can help you recognize which choice is right for your story at any particular moment.
24-7-2023 • 19 minuten
Ep. 633: How to Discover What Your Character Fears
Understanding what your character fears can offer significant insights into your story and its underlying themes.
10-7-2023 • 14 minuten, 55 seconden
Ep. 632: A New Way to Think About the Lie the Character Believes
Learn how the Lie the Character Believes is a gauge of the character's relationship with reality--and how to use it to upgrade character arcs.
3-7-2023 • 14 minuten, 46 seconden
Ep. 631: What Does Your Character Want? Desire vs. Plot Goal vs. Moral Intention vs. Need
Writers can find value and nuance by digging deeper into the functionality of these four terms in answering: "What does your character want?"
26-6-2023 • 16 minuten, 31 seconden
Ep. 630: What's the Difference? Your Character's Ghost vs. Wound vs. Lie vs. Weakness
All four terms--Ghost vs. wound vs. Lie vs. weakness--refer to a pain point for your character. Here's how to understand the nuances.
19-6-2023 • 16 minuten, 17 seconden
Ep. 629: The Daily Routine of a Full-Time Writer
Join me for a peek into my daily routine as a full-time writer!
12-6-2023 • 15 minuten, 43 seconden
Ep. 628: Imposter Syndrome for Writers Is a Real Thing (+ the Key to Slaying It)
How to transform imposter syndrome for writers from an enemy into a tool for growing yourself throughout the journey of the writing life.
5-6-2023 • 17 minuten, 20 seconden
Ep. 627: 5 Ways to Use Your Character's Shadows to Power Your Story
Here are five places in your story where you can use your character's shadows to create amazing complexity and thematic resonance.
29-5-2023 • 17 minuten, 54 seconden
Ep. 626: How to Create Insanely Complex Characters Using "Shadow Theory"
"Shadow theory" is one of the most intuitive tools a writer can use to identify the contrasting elements that create complex characters.
21-5-2023 • 17 minuten, 9 seconden
Ep. 625: Why There's No Such Thing as "Just a Story"
Four reasons why the dismissive statement "it's just a story" is not only erroneous, but one of humanity's most the dangerous lies.
15-5-2023 • 15 minuten, 18 seconden
Ep. 624: Tips on Hiring and Working with a Book Cover Designer (And New Cover Reveal for Dreamlander!)
Step-by-step guide to finding the right book cover designer, preparing for the design process, and achieving an effective collaboration.
8-5-2023 • 15 minuten, 43 seconden
Ep. 623: The Backstory Drip (Backstory Techniques, Pt. 3 of 3)
Discover the versatile and effective technique of the backstory drip by learning four techniques for revealing backstory in your story.
1-5-2023 • 18 minuten, 18 seconden
Ep. 622: Backstory-as-Story vs. Alternating Timelines (Backstory Techniques, Pt. 2 of 3)
Backstory techniques are crucial to the success of any story. Backstory-as-story and alternating timelines are two possible approaches.
24-4-2023 • 16 minuten, 18 seconden
Ep. 621: Prologues vs. Flashbacks (Backstory Techniques, Pt. 1 of 3)
Learn how to use four specific backstory techniques to share character histories with your audience, starting with prologues and flashbacks.
17-4-2023 • 17 minuten, 20 seconden
Ep. 620: How Archetypes Changed My Life and My Writing
When "good writing" strikes its steel upon the flint of archetypes, there is a sudden unity of truth between author and reader.
27-3-2023 • 18 minuten, 8 seconden
Ep. 619: Here Are Two Ways to Write Organic Themes
Learn how organic themes arise from plot (and vice versa) and specifically how to recognize five important elements of an organic theme.
20-3-2023 • 20 minuten, 35 seconden
Ep. 618: Genre Tips: How to Write Literary Fiction
Learning how to write literary fiction can be helpful not only in writing the genre itself, but in raising the vibration on any type of story.
6-3-2023 • 19 minuten, 27 seconden
Ep. 617: Genre Tips: How to Write Mystery
Learning how to write mystery stories involves the most impressive trick of all: outsmarting readers while still playing fair with the clues.
27-2-2023 • 17 minuten, 51 seconden
Ep. 616: Genre Tips: How to Write Historical Fiction
Learning how to write historical fiction requires the skills to a well-drawn story, with the added responsibility of evoking times gone by.
20-2-2023 • 20 minuten, 16 seconden
Ep. 615: Genre Tips: How to Write Romance
Learning how to write romance requires both strong technique and the courage to write vulnerably about this integral part of life.
13-2-2023 • 18 minuten, 35 seconden
Ep. 614: Genre Tips: How to Write Fantasy
Fantasy combines imagination and innovation with deep roots in archetype and myth. Here are five tips for how to write fantasy.
6-2-2023 • 18 minuten, 38 seconden
Ep. 613: 5 Tips for How to Return to Writing After a Long Break
Making a return to writing after a long time away can feel overwhelming or even bewildering. Here are five tips to set you up for success.
30-1-2023 • 18 minuten, 7 seconden
Your Story Isn't Working? Here Are 6 Problems to Troubleshoot
If you currently feel your story isn't working, double-check you've ticked these six important boxes in writing a cohesive story that works.
23-1-2023 • 22 minuten, 42 seconden
6 Lessons Learned From 4 Years of Writer's Block
Long-term writer's block can be scary and confusing. Here are six important lessons to help you through the experience.
16-1-2023 • 23 minuten, 13 seconden
Ep. 610: Looking Back on 2022: 5 Reflections on a Year of Healing
I share with you 5 gifts from a year of healing, in hopes you may also find them healing or inspiring in your own journey into the New Year.
2-1-2023 • 25 minuten, 27 seconden
Ep. 609: 15 of My Favorite Books in 2022
Check out some of my favorite books from 2022 in three categories: Fiction, Writing How-To, and General Non-Fiction.
12-12-2022 • 12 minuten, 27 seconden
Ep. 608: What Are the Best Places to Write? 15 Tips to Create the Perfect Writing Space
Discover important ingredients, ideas, and tools to help you tell your stories even in situations that may not be the best places to write.
5-12-2022 • 17 minuten, 40 seconden
Ep. 607: 8 Tips for Dealing With Negative Reviews of Your Book
Examines why negative reviews of your book may be impacting you and how to re-center your perspective afterwards.
7-11-2022 • 20 minuten, 6 seconden
Ep. 606: Top 14 Tips and Tools for Creating Unique Character Voices
Creating unique character voices is one of the great challenges of writing fiction. Here are nine considerations and five tips for creating yours.
31-10-2022 • 19 minuten, 48 seconden
Ep. 605: 9 Negative Character Arcs in the Enneagram
Explores nine negative character arcs in the Enneagram personality theory, including the thematic Truths the characters are missing.
17-10-2022 • 22 minuten, 22 seconden
Ep. 604: 9 Positive Character Arcs in the Enneagram
Explore nine positive character arcs in the Enneagram personality theory, including the Lie each character starts out believing.
10-10-2022 • 18 minuten, 11 seconden
Ep. 603: Do You Need Personal Experience to Write About Something?
Do you need personal experience to write about something? Turns out there are four ways to "know" something, and experience is just one.
5-9-2022 • 15 minuten, 30 seconden
Ep. 602: 7 Tips for How to Add Complexity to Your Story
Here are seven tips for how to add complexity to your story without crossing the line into unwanted complications.
29-8-2022 • 18 minuten, 27 seconden
Ep. 601: Is Your Story Too Complicated? Here Are 9 Signs
You want your story to be complex, not complicated. Is your story too complicated? Here are nine important things to think about.
22-8-2022 • 15 minuten
Ep. 600: How to Write Emotional Scenes (Without Making Them Cringey)
One of the most important keys to creating good fiction is understanding how to write emotional scenes in a way that feels genuine.
15-8-2022 • 15 minuten, 51 seconden
Ep. 599: How Perfect Does Your Story's Structural Timing Have to Be?
A closer look at the mechanics of structural timing. What is it? Why is it important? And how precise does it have to be?
8-8-2022 • 17 minuten, 59 seconden
Ep. 598: 13 Rules to Be a Better Beta Reader
Not all beta readers are created equal. Just as you can learn to be a better writer, you can also learn to be a better beta reader.
1-8-2022 • 17 minuten, 40 seconden
Ep. 597: How to Structure Stories With Multiple Main Characters?
How you structure a story with multiple main characters will depend on which type of plot you're working with.
25-7-2022 • 17 minuten, 52 seconden
Ep. 596: 7 Tips for Opening Your Story In Medias Res
Discover the pros and cons of opening your story in medias res (or "in the middle" of action) and use these tips to refine your use of it.
18-7-2022 • 19 minuten, 19 seconden
Ep. 595: Clearing Up Some Misconceptions About In Medias Res
Is opening your story in medias res compatible with the Three-Act Structure? The secret is in understanding how the First Act functions.
11-7-2022 • 16 minuten, 54 seconden
Ep. 594: 8 Ways to Avoid Cardboard Characters (and Plot Contrivances While You're At It)
If your story suffers from cardboard characters, it probably also suffers from plot contrivances. Good news: if you fix one, you fix both.
27-6-2022 • 17 minuten, 58 seconden
Ep. 593: Understanding the New Normal World of a Story's Resolution
In many ways, the New Normal World of a story's Resolution is what successfully completes the context of the entire story.
20-6-2022 • 15 minuten, 53 seconden
Ep. 592: Understanding the Underworld of a Story's Third Act
The Underworld of a Story's Third Act is symbolically important for creating powerful and realistic change with your characters and plot.
13-6-2022 • 15 minuten, 12 seconden
Ep. 591: Understanding the Adventure World of a Story's Second Act
Writers can use the metaphoric Adventure World of a story's Second Act to better understand this crucial part of story structure.
6-6-2022 • 14 minuten, 40 seconden
Ep. 590: Understanding the Normal World of a Story's First Act
Authors need to understand the four "worlds" represented within a story's structure, the first of which is the Normal World of the First Act.
30-5-2022 • 14 minuten, 37 seconden
Ep. 589: Deepening Your Story's Theme With the Thematic Square
If you want to deepen the complexity of your story's theme, one tool you can employ is Robert McKee's thematic square.
23-5-2022 • 18 minuten, 7 seconden
Ep. 588: 6 Ways to Find Your Best Ideas Before You Start Writing
Use these six ways to find your best ideas for writing your book, as you cultivate, channel, and honor your deeper inspiration.
16-5-2022 • 14 minuten, 53 seconden
Ep. 587: The Role of the Antagonist in Story Structure, Pt. 2 of 2
Examines the role of the antagonist in the second half of a story's structure--the Second Pinch Point through the Resolution.
9-5-2022 • 15 minuten, 25 seconden
Ep. 586: The Role of the Antagonist in Story Structure, Pt. 1 of 2
The major plot beats in a story are interwoven with the protagonist's journey. But what is the role of the antagonist in story structure?
2-5-2022 • 22 minuten, 14 seconden
Ep. 585: Do You Have to Write Every Day? 10 Pros and Cons
Should writers make it a habit to write every day? Here are five pros of writing every day, as well as five potential cons.
25-4-2022 • 18 minuten, 38 seconden
Ep. 584: The 6 Challenges of Writing a Second Novel
Writing a second novel can often be surprisingly harder than the first one. Check out six challenges sophomore writers often face.
18-4-2022 • 19 minuten, 16 seconden
Ep. 583: 14 Tips for Dealing With the Passage of Time in a Story
Ask these important questions to make sure the passage of time in a story is strengthening rather than weakening its narrative power.
11-4-2022 • 19 minuten, 44 seconden
Ep. 582: 6 Ways to Craft Spectacular Set-Piece Scenes
Here are six important considerations to keep in mind when amping up your story's most important scenes--its set-piece scenes.
28-3-2022 • 14 minuten, 8 seconden
Ep. 581: How to Know When You're a Successful Author?
The question of "how to know when you're a successful author?" offers some obvious answers--and yet the subject is far more complex.
14-3-2022 • 16 minuten, 4 seconden
Ep. 580: Should You Take a Break From Writing? 5 Red Flags
When should you take a break from writing? And once you've taken that step, what in heaven's name are you going to do with yourself?
28-2-2022 • 20 minuten, 58 seconden
Ep. 579: 9 Ways to Approach Relationship Dynamics in Fiction
Creating an amazing supporting cast that can offer important relationship dynamics in fiction will also help develop your protagonist.
21-2-2022 • 14 minuten, 48 seconden
Episode #578: Archetypes and Story Structure: How They're Connected
Learn how archetypes and story structure mirror each other in any individual book and can be used to further strengthen your story.
14-2-2022 • 25 minuten, 6 seconden
Ep. 577: Making Story Structure Your Own
Here are a five important questions you, as a writer of fiction, can ask yourself to help you in making story structure your own.
7-2-2022 • 14 minuten, 43 seconden
Ep. 576: Conflict in Fiction: What It Really Is and Why It's Important to Plot
There’s nothing incorrect in using confrontation to create conflict in fiction. But to understand conflict as only confrontation is too narrow a definition.
31-1-2022 • 11 minuten, 51 seconden
Ep. #575: The Writer's Inner Critic: 10 Ways to Tell if Yours Is Healthy
Learn how to increase the health and effectiveness of the writer's inner critic while diminishing toxic effects.
24-1-2022 • 18 minuten, 46 seconden
Ep. 574: A Writer's New Year Reflections: The 6 Gifts I Gave Myself in 2021
Here are this writer's New Year reflections, focusing on six "gifts" I gave myself and why I believe they were profoundly life-changing.
10-1-2022 • 19 minuten, 15 seconden
Ep. 573: The Two Halves of the Climactic Moment
The two halves of the Climactic Moment require the story's final sequence to offer two very specific beats: Sacrifice and Victory/Failure.
13-12-2021 • 15 minuten, 40 seconden
Ep. 572: The Two Halves of the Third Plot Point
The two halves of the Third Plot Point work together to create a scene arc that moves from the False Victory to the Low Moment.
6-12-2021 • 16 minuten, 11 seconden
Ep. 571: The Two Halves of the Midpoint
The halves of the Midpoint are unique in story structure in that they mark the dividing line between the two halves of the entire story arc.
29-11-2021 • 16 minuten, 11 seconden
Ep. 570: The Two Halves of the First Plot Point
The First Plot Point is often referred to as a threshold, a visual metaphor representing the native two-sidedness of all structural beats.
15-11-2021 • 15 minuten, 22 seconden
Ep. 569: The Two Halves of the Inciting Event
A series examining the two important "halves" in each of story structure's major beats, beginning with the Inciting Event in the First Act.
8-11-2021 • 17 minuten, 51 seconden
Ep. #568: 6 Questions to Help You Avoid Repetitive Scenes
Find out what defines repetitive scenes, as well as strategies for recognizing and avoiding them in your fiction.
25-10-2021 • 15 minuten, 25 seconden
Ep. 567: Archetypal Antagonists for the Mage Arc: Evil and the Weakness of Humankind
The archetypal antagonists for the Mage Arc often manifest subtly--not in obvious "evil," but in an ordinary person's weakness.
11-10-2021 • 15 minuten, 59 seconden
Ep. 566: Archetypal Antagonists for the Crone Arc: Death Blight and Tempter
The archetypal antagonists for the Crone Arc are represented as a Death Blight and as the subtle Tempter who would lure her from the Truth.
4-10-2021 • 14 minuten, 21 seconden
Ep. 565: Archetypal Antagonists for the King Arc: Cataclysm and Rebel
The archetypal antagonists for the King Arc are the Cataclysm and the Rebel, both of which challenge the King to culminate his rule.
27-9-2021 • 17 minuten, 44 seconden
Ep. 564: Archetypal Antagonists for the Queen Arc: Invader and Empty Throne
Usually the archetypal antagonists for a Queen Arc are represented by the Invader in the outer conflict and the Empty Throne in the inner conflict.
20-9-2021 • 14 minuten, 22 seconden
Ep. 563: Archetypal Antagonists for the Hero Arc: Dragon and Sick King
The antagonists for the Hero Arc can be seen archetypally as both the Dragon and the Sick King.
13-9-2021 • 15 minuten, 59 seconden
Ep. 562: Archetypal Antagonists for the Maiden Arc: Authority and Predator
The antagonists for the Maiden Arc can be seen archetypally as both her Authority Figures and a frightening Predator.
6-9-2021 • 16 minuten, 52 seconden
Ep. 561: Archetypal Antagonists for Each of the Six Archetypal Character Arcs
A series looking at the archetypal antagonists inherent within each of the six main archetypal "life arcs."
30-8-2021 • 15 minuten, 53 seconden
Ep. 560: The Main Reason Your Story's Premise Is Important
How can you tell what your story's premise is telling readers? Here are four questions you can ask about your story's premise.
23-8-2021 • 17 minuten, 6 seconden
Ep. 559: 3 Things to Know About the Ending of a Story
The tremendous (but sometimes misunderstood) significance of the Climactic Moment in the ending of a story.
9-8-2021 • 14 minuten, 49 seconden
Ep. 558: How the Antagonist Functions in Different Types of Character Arcs
The role of the antagonist varies depending on the nature of the protagonist's character arc.
2-8-2021 • 19 minuten, 39 seconden
Ep. 557: Should You Edit As You Go?
Should you edit as you go? The best choice has much to do with a writer's personality, strengths, weaknesses, and even lifestyle demands.
26-7-2021 • 15 minuten, 7 seconden
Ep. 556: Why Everyone Should Write (Even if You Think You Stink)
The world needs us all to be writers and creators. It needs the next Pulitzer winner, and it needs the scribbled poem forgotten on a napkin in a cafe.
19-7-2021 • 16 minuten, 28 seconden
Ep. 555: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 22: How to Use Archetypal Character Arcs in Your Stories
How can you apply archetypal character arcs in a practical way to your own stories? Here are five considerations for choosing archetypes.
5-7-2021 • 19 minuten, 56 seconden
Ep. 554: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 21: The Flat Archetype of the Mentor
The final Flat archetype of the Mentor is one of the most significant within human storytelling.
28-6-2021 • 15 minuten, 38 seconden
Ep. 553: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 20: The Flat Archetype of the Elder
The Flat archetype of the Elder provides crucial guidance for enacting important change in surrounding characters.
21-6-2021 • 18 minuten, 50 seconden
Ep. 552: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 19: The Flat Archetype of the Ruler
The Flat archetype of the Ruler represents the potential period in a person’s life in which he or she is in a position of leadership.
13-6-2021 • 14 minuten, 37 seconden
Ep. 551: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 18: The Flat Archetype of the Parent
We don’t often think of the Flat archetype of the Parent with the same enthusiasm as we do the Hero. And yet they are intrinsically linked.
7-6-2021 • 14 minuten, 59 seconden
Ep. 550: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 17: The Flat Archetype of the Lover
A deeply nuanced archetype that evolves with us for most of our lives, the Flat archetype of the Lover is inherent and integral.
31-5-2021 • 15 minuten, 46 seconden
Ep. 549: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 16: The Flat Archetype of the Child
The archetype of the Child is necessarily an archetype of deep vulnerability and surprisingly powerful impact upon other characters.
24-5-2021 • 15 minuten, 16 seconden
Ep. 548: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 15: Introduction to the 6 Flat Archetypes
Flat archetypes are often seen teaching other characters some of the same lessons they just learned in their own previously completed arcs.
17-5-2021 • 15 minuten, 43 seconden
Ep. 547: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 14: The Mage’s Shadow Archetypes
Will the character triumph--or succumb in the end to the powerful temptations of either of the Mage's shadow archetypes, the Miser or the Sorcerer?
10-5-2021 • 19 minuten, 25 seconden
Ep. 546: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 13: The Crone’s Shadow Archetypes
If the character cannot powerfully transition into the final act of life, the risk is that of sliding into the Crone's shadow archetypes.
3-5-2021 • 18 minuten, 47 seconden
Ep. 545: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 12: The King’s Shadow Archetypes
Whether this powerful character brings life to the Kingdom depends on if he is in the grip of the King's shadow archetypes of Puppet and Tyrant.
26-4-2021 • 20 minuten, 50 seconden
Ep. 544: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 11: The Queen’s Shadow Archetypes
The Queen’s shadows have the potential to block her possibility for a positively transformative archetypal character arc.
19-4-2021 • 19 minuten, 40 seconden
Ep. 543: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 10: The Hero’s Shadow Archetypes
The Hero’s shadow archetypes of Coward and Bully are especially important (and cautionary) due to the pervasiveness of the Hero’s Journey.
12-4-2021 • 20 minuten, 13 seconden
Ep. 542: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 9: The Maiden’s Shadow Archetypes
Out of fear and egoism, the Maiden's shadow archetypes would prevent her from embracing a new perspective and completing her journey.
5-4-2021 • 21 minuten, 4 seconden
Ep. 541: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 8: Introduction to the 12 Shadow Archetypes
Each positive character archetype inherently represents a struggle with related shadow archetypes--one passive and one aggressive.
29-3-2021 • 15 minuten, 22 seconden
Ep. 540: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 7: The Mage Arc
The powerful and mysterious Mage Arc--the final archetypal character arc--turns its attention to questions of power and surrender.
22-3-2021 • 23 minuten, 57 seconden
Ep. 539: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 6: The Crone Arc
The Crone Arc begins the final act of the “life arcs” by presenting an inevitable and imperative Underworld Journey.
15-3-2021 • 31 minuten, 44 seconden
Ep. 538: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 5: The King Arc
Although the plot in a King Arc can be absolutely epic, it is a fundamentally spiritual arc--more so than any that have preceded it.
8-3-2021 • 25 minuten, 45 seconden
Ep. 537: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 4: The Queen Arc
The majestic Queen Arc builds upon the lessons learned in the Hero's Journey to create an archetypal character arc that offers a worthy sequel.
1-3-2021 • 24 minuten, 21 seconden
Ep. 536: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 3: The Hero Arc
The Hero Arc is the story of the conquering champion--the ingenuous but perhaps immodest youth setting out to do a great deed.
21-2-2021 • 27 minuten, 23 seconden
Ep. 535: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 2: The Maiden Arc
As the "youngest" of the archetypal character arcs, the Maiden Arc represents the quintessential coming-of-age story.
15-2-2021 • 30 minuten, 32 seconden
Ep. 534: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 1: A New Series
For a writer, one of the most exciting explorations of archetype can be found within specific archetypal character arcs--or journeys.
8-2-2021 • 20 minuten, 34 seconden
Ep. 533: An Introduction to Archetypal Stories
Why are archetypal stories so important and what does this mean for you as a writer attempting to channel these deep patterns of existence?
1-2-2021 • 14 minuten, 39 seconden
Ep. 532: Story Theory and the Quest for Meaning
It is not too simplistic or idealistic a statement to say that storytelling--and therefore story theory--is a quest for meaning.
25-1-2021 • 11 minuten, 52 seconden
Ep. 531: 3 Character Arcs in the Karpman Drama Triangle
Pairing the Karpman Drama Triangle and the Empowerment Triangle offers a fantastic tool for creating solid character arcs.
18-1-2021 • 15 minuten, 44 seconden
Ep. 530: 7 Writing Lessons Learned in 2020
Seven writing lessons to inspire, ground, and encourage you in moving forward into the wide new frontier of 2021.
4-1-2021 • 16 minuten, 20 seconden
Ep. 529: What Is Dreamzoning? (7 Steps to Finding New Story Ideas)
Every writer knows about daydreaming. But what about dreamzoning? How can it help you cultivate inspiration for your storytelling?
29-11-2020 • 13 minuten, 25 seconden
Ep. 528: 7 Steps to Stop Overthinking Your Writing
The problem of overthinking your writing is really part of the larger challenge of learning how to live a truly creative lifestyle.
23-11-2020 • 17 minuten, 7 seconden
Ep. 527: 5 Questions About Scene Sequences
Scene sequences bring together a series of individual scenes into a distinct narrative section, united by focus, location, and/or theme.
16-11-2020 • 15 minuten, 17 seconden
Ep. 526: Are You Growing as a Writer? (Here's the Only Way to Tell)
Growing as a writer is not merely about mastering a skill, but also, and more pertinently, about our growth as human beings.
9-11-2020 • 14 minuten, 39 seconden
Ep. 525: The Power of Chiastic Story Structure (Especially in a Series)
An overview of chiastic story structure itself, along with four tips to employ this technique over the longer work of an entire series.
2-11-2020 • 15 minuten, 26 seconden
Ep. 524: The Midpoint as the Swivel Point of Your Story's Linked Structure
How can you keep your pacing tight and the story interesting over the long haul of the Second Act? The simplest answer: Mind the Midpoint.
26-10-2020 • 18 minuten, 44 seconden
Ep. 523: The Link Between Your Story's Pinch Points
Learn to identify and leverage several important story structure similarities between your story’s Pinch Points.
12-10-2020 • 20 minuten, 43 seconden
Ep. 522: The Link Between Your Story's First Plot Point and Third Plot Point
Deepen your understanding of story structure by examining the parallel functions of the First Plot Point and the Third Plot Point.
5-10-2020 • 17 minuten, 36 seconden
Ep. 521: The Link Between Your Story's Hook and Resolution
You can think of the link between your story’s Hook and Resolution in four different ways. Ask these questions to help in brainstorming.
28-9-2020 • 19 minuten, 4 seconden
Ep. 520: The Crucial Link Between Your Story's Inciting Event and Climactic Moment
Structurally speaking, the Inciting Event initiates the story's conflict, while the Climactic Moment fully resolves it.
14-9-2020 • 17 minuten, 49 seconden
Episode #519: 15 Steps to Self-Publish Your Book
Once you've decided in favor of the indie route, what are the actual steps to self-publish your book? Use this actionable list.
7-9-2020 • 19 minuten, 29 seconden
Episode #518: 7 Considerations for Your Antagonist's Motivations (Which Will Save You SOOO Much Trouble)
Your antagonist's motivations can make or break your story. If they are weak, unconvincing, or complicated, your story suffers in key areas.
31-8-2020 • 19 minuten, 6 seconden
Ep. 517: Afraid to Let Anyone Read Your Writing? 5 Steps to Move Past Fears
Once you understand why you are afraid to let anyone read your writing, you can come up with a successful plan to mitigate the fears.
24-8-2020 • 15 minuten, 25 seconden
Ep. 516: 5 Exercises for Honing Your Story Instincts
Your story instincts and your ability to tap into them clearly will define how much "talent" you may have as a writer.
17-8-2020 • 15 minuten, 11 seconden
Ep. 515: Critique: 4 Ways to Write Sequel Scenes That Grip Readers
Learning how to write sequel scenes is a specialized technique that will allow you to grip readers' attention on every page.
10-8-2020 • 17 minuten, 49 seconden
Ep. 514: 5 Ways to Help Writers During the Pandemic (+Giveaways to Get You Started)
Want to help writers during the pandemic? Here are five ideas--along with giveaways to help you get started in bolstering the writing community.
2-8-2020 • 14 minuten, 38 seconden
Ep. 513: 7 Misconceptions About Being a Writer
The more lightly we grab hold of certain misconceptions about being a writer, the more easily we can discard them when they're no longer of use to us.
26-7-2020 • 17 minuten, 5 seconden
Ep. 512: 4 Questions to Prevent Plot Holes
Whether you're outlining or editing, here are four questions you can ask to help identify, rectify, or prevent plot holes.
20-7-2020 • 18 minuten, 15 seconden
Ep. 511: How to Get Stuff Done as a Writer (or How This INTJ Leverages Her Te)
Sooner or later, procrastination is stumbling block for most of us. As an INTJ, here are my top four tips for how to get stuff done as a writer.
5-7-2020 • 17 minuten, 47 seconden
Ep. 510: The 3 Acts of a Writer's Life--Or How Your Age Affects Your Writing
Writing looks a little different in every stage of a writer's life. Here's a look at the way your age affects your writing in the Three Acts of your life.
29-6-2020 • 17 minuten, 43 seconden
Ep. 509: Using All Four Cognitive Functions as a Writer
How to better understand the four cognitive functions as a writer by consciously developing them--Intuition, Sensing, Thinking, and Feeling.
22-6-2020 • 18 minuten, 48 seconden
Ep. 508: 11 Exercises to Enhance Your Visual Thinking
To help you improve your writing and storytelling, here are eleven exercises you can use to consciously access your visual thinking and creativity.
1-6-2020 • 18 minuten, 10 seconden
Ep. 507: Editing Your Novel Q&A
Have questions about editing your novel? The best way to find good answers is to ask good questions. Here are eight excellent questions about editing.
24-5-2020 • 15 minuten, 40 seconden
Ep. 506: Creativity vs. Distraction: 13 Tips for Writers in the Age of the Internet
Controlling and cutting down on distraction is the first step in reclaiming our full creative capacity. Here are 13 tips to get started!
18-5-2020 • 21 minuten, 28 seconden
Ep. 505: 7 Possible Hooks for Your Opening Chapter
In order to grab readers, you'll need to consider several specific types of hooks for your opening chapter. You may want to use one--or all of them.
11-5-2020 • 16 minuten, 24 seconden
Ep. 505: 15 Productive Tasks You Can Still Do Even When You Don't Feel Like Writing
If you find you don't feel like writing right now, here's a list of 15 important writing tasks you may be more in the mood for.
27-4-2020 • 17 minuten, 23 seconden
Ep. 503: 4 Ways Writing Improves Your Relationship With Yourself
The more you learn to listen to the self that appears on the page, the more writing improves your relationship with yourself in an ever-deepening journey.
20-4-2020 • 16 minuten, 14 seconden
Ep. 502: How to Get Some Writing Done: Discipline vs. Enthusiasm
Sometimes the hardest part of getting some writing done is just... doing it. Here are 10 tips for cultivating discipline and renewing enthusiasm.
13-4-2020 • 21 minuten, 6 seconden
Ep. 501: 7 Ways Writing Saves Us When Life Is Hard
Writing and stories have the power to help all of us--but especially writers. Here are seven ways writing can help us keep going in times of uncertainty.
6-4-2020 • 18 minuten, 43 seconden
Ep. 500: 8 Challenges (and Solutions) When Writing From Home
If you're writing from home (or honestly, trying to accomplish just about anything from home), here are eight tips for maximizing your daily routine.
30-3-2020 • 20 minuten, 36 seconden
Ep. 499: The Power of Hopeful Stories in a Stressful Time
Want to put something good into the world right now? Here are five ways the power of hopeful stories can create change in a positive way.
22-3-2020 • 16 minuten, 50 seconden
Ep. 498: 5 Questions About How to Balance Multiple POVs in Your Story
Knowing your story's ending will help you know the right answer to almost any POV question. Let's look at 5 questions about using multiple POVs.
15-3-2020 • 17 minuten, 53 seconden
Ep. #497: Critique: 6 Tips for Introducing Characters
Your goal in introducing characters should be to do so with the least amount of info possible while still making the characters memorable. Here's how!
8-3-2020 • 15 minuten, 44 seconden
Ep. 496: Creativity vs. the Ego (Or, the Value of Unpublishable Stories)
When creativity becomes a servant of the ego, rather than the other way around--we can get confused about what we're doing and why.
1-3-2020 • 15 minuten, 42 seconden
Ep. 495: The Professional Writing Resources I Use for All Parts of the Writing and Publishing Processes
Here are fourteen professional writing resources to help with all parts of authorpreneurship: writing, editing, blogging/podcasting, book formatting, marketing.
23-2-2020 • 15 minuten, 3 seconden
Ep. 494: Thoughts on How to Be Critical of Stories in a Way That Makes a Difference
Learn how to be critical of stories in a way that turns the potential for negativity into a positive force that drives your own creativity.
17-2-2020 • 17 minuten, 23 seconden
Ep. 493: 6 Steps to Create Realistic (and Powerful) Scene Dilemmas
Of all the many aspects of scene structure, scene dilemmas are among the most powerful but also the most overlooked. Here are six steps to acing yours.
4-2-2020 • 16 minuten
Ep. 492: 2 Different Types of the Lie Your Character Believes
20-1-2020 • 18 minuten, 2 seconden
Ep. 491: 3 Life-Changing Rules for Finding More Writing Inspiration This Year
13-1-2020 • 23 minuten, 15 seconden
Ep. 490: My Top Books of 2019
6-1-2020 • 14 minuten, 28 seconden
Ep. 489: Critique: Supporting Characters and Theme: 6 Important Questions to Ask About Your Story
16-12-2019 • 14 minuten, 35 seconden
Ep. 488: Critique: 10 Ways to Write a Better First Chapter Using Specific Word Choices
9-12-2019 • 18 minuten, 38 seconden
Ep. 487: How to Choose the Right Antagonist for Any Type of Story
25-11-2019 • 16 minuten, 45 seconden
Ep. 486: How to Overcome Fear as a Writer and Embrace Your Profound Courage
18-11-2019 • 19 minuten, 36 seconden
Ep. 485: 23 Tips for a Zero Waste Home Office
4-11-2019 • 17 minuten, 33 seconden
Ep. 484: How to Know Which Parts of Your Story Readers Will Like Best
28-10-2019 • 17 minuten, 17 seconden
Ep. 483: A Writer's Guide to Understanding People
21-10-2019 • 15 minuten, 54 seconden
Ep. 482: This Is How to Transform Info Dumps Into Exciting Plot Reveals
14-10-2019 • 17 minuten, 28 seconden
Ep. 481: A Challenge to Write Life-Changing Fiction
7-10-2019 • 14 minuten, 15 seconden
Ep. 480: 5 Questions for Choosing a Protagonist Who Represents Theme
30-9-2019 • 13 minuten, 32 seconden
Ep. 479: Are You Struggling to Be Creative? This Might Be Why
23-9-2019 • 17 minuten, 58 seconden
Ep. 478: Critique: 10 Ways to Write Excellent Dialogue
16-9-2019 • 18 minuten, 44 seconden
Ep. 477: Creating Your Character's Inner Conflict: Want vs. Need
2-9-2019 • 17 minuten, 45 seconden
Ep. 476: How to Use a Truth Chart to Figure Out Character Arc
26-8-2019 • 22 minuten, 22 seconden
Ep. 475: How to Tell if Your Story Has Too Much Plot, Not Enough Character
19-8-2019 • 19 minuten, 58 seconden
Ep. 474: Learn 5 Types of Character Arc at a Glance, Pt. 2: The 3 Negative Arcs
5-8-2019 • 19 minuten, 51 seconden
Ep. 473: Learn 5 Types of Character Arc at a Glance, Pt. 1: The 2 Heroic Arcs
29-7-2019 • 18 minuten, 43 seconden
Ep. 472: How to Make Your Plot a Powerful Thematic Metaphor
22-7-2019 • 14 minuten, 28 seconden
Ep. 471: Taking Your Writing to the Next Level: Whole-Life Art
1-7-2019 • 16 minuten, 7 seconden
Ep. 470: Critique: 4 Ways to Write Gripping Internal Narrative
24-6-2019 • 15 minuten, 20 seconden
Ep. 469: 5 Ways to Earn Audience Loyalty
17-6-2019 • 21 minuten, 42 seconden
Ep. 468: 6 Requirements for Writing Better Character Goals
10-6-2019 • 16 minuten, 52 seconden
Ep. 467: How to Write Interesting Scenes
3-6-2019 • 18 minuten, 31 seconden
Ep. 466: 4 Challenges of Writing for a Modern Audience
27-5-2019 • 18 minuten, 11 seconden
Ep. 465: Helping Authors Become Artists
22-4-2019 • 18 minuten, 14 seconden
Ep. 464: How to Use Your Outline When Writing Your First Draft
15-4-2019 • 16 minuten, 29 seconden
Ep. 463: What Is the Relationship Between Plot and Theme?
8-4-2019 • 15 minuten, 56 seconden
Ep. 462: 5 Ways to Use Theme to Create Character Arc (and Vice Versa)
1-4-2019 • 18 minuten, 6 seconden
Ep. 461: 4 Pacing Tricks to Keep Readers' Attention
25-3-2019 • 18 minuten, 10 seconden
Ep. 460: How to Find Your Thematic Principle
18-3-2019 • 15 minuten, 35 seconden
Ep. 459: Plot, Character, and Theme: The Greatest Love Triangle in Fiction
11-3-2019 • 16 minuten, 11 seconden
Ep. 458: 7 Things to Try When Writing Is Hard
25-2-2019 • 16 minuten, 8 seconden
Ep. 457: How to Use Paragraph Breaks to Guide the Reading Experience
11-2-2019 • 15 minuten, 19 seconden
Ep. 456: 10 Advantages of Writing a Single-POV Story
4-2-2019 • 17 minuten, 11 seconden
Ep. 455: My 9 Writing Goals for the New Year
28-1-2019 • 19 minuten, 9 seconden
Ep. 454: How to Create the Perfect Writing Process for You
21-1-2019 • 18 minuten, 52 seconden
Ep. 453: My Top Books of 2018
17-12-2018 • 16 minuten, 21 seconden
Ep. 452: The 10-Step Checklist to Writing an Above-Average Novel
10-12-2018 • 19 minuten, 55 seconden
Ep. 451: The 10 Rules of Writing Large Casts of Characters
3-12-2018 • 18 minuten, 16 seconden
Ep. 450: How to Choose Your Story's Plot Points
19-11-2018 • 19 minuten, 52 seconden
Ep. 449: 5 Ways to Successfully Start a Book With a Dream
12-11-2018 • 21 minuten, 44 seconden
Ep. 448: When Writing, How Do You Know When Enough Is Enough?
5-11-2018 • 19 minuten, 15 seconden
Ep. 447: 5 Lessons From a Lost Novel
29-10-2018 • 21 minuten, 7 seconden
Ep. 446: Words Are Radical! (or, How to Cherish Language)
15-10-2018 • 14 minuten, 35 seconden
Ep. 445: Story Structure Q and A: 6 Outstanding Questions About Structure
1-10-2018 • 14 minuten, 35 seconden
Ep. 444: 3 Tips for Improving Show, Don't Tell
24-9-2018 • 16 minuten, 12 seconden
Ep. 443: Do You Have Sloppy Writing Habits? (And 4 Things to Do About It)
3-9-2018 • 15 minuten, 9 seconden
Ep. 442: 5 Ways to Use the Enneagram to Write Better Characters
27-8-2018 • 19 minuten, 30 seconden
Ep. 441: Writer's Envy--And 3 Thoughts on What to Do About It
20-8-2018 • 12 minuten, 52 seconden
Ep. 440: How to Market Your Book When You Hate Marketing
13-8-2018 • 14 minuten, 42 seconden
Ep. 439: 4 Ways to Choose a Better Theme for Your Book
6-8-2018 • 20 minuten, 49 seconden
Ep. 438: 4 Steps for How to Turn an Idea Into a Story That Rocks
23-7-2018 • 17 minuten, 2 seconden
Ep. 437: How to Write Unique Themes
16-7-2018 • 16 minuten, 34 seconden
Ep. 436: Never Let Anybody Tell You How to Write: 8 Tips for Learning Responsibly
Ep. 434: Writing as the Art of Thinking Clearly: 6 Steps
25-6-2018 • 17 minuten, 14 seconden
Ep. 433: How to Intertwine Plot, Character, and Theme in Every Scene
18-6-2018 • 18 minuten
Ep. 432: 5 Steps to Writing Great Character Chemistry
11-6-2018 • 14 minuten, 49 seconden
Ep. 431: 4 Ways to Write a Better Antagonist
4-6-2018 • 21 minuten, 17 seconden
Ep. 430: How the Truth Your Character Believes Defines Your Theme
28-5-2018 • 22 minuten
Ep. 429: How to Grow as a Writer: 5 Logical Steps
21-5-2018 • 15 minuten, 45 seconden
Ep. 428: 5 Lies Writers Believe That Are Holding Them Back
14-5-2018 • 13 minuten, 38 seconden
Ep. 427: Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 64: POV Problems
7-5-2018 • 18 minuten, 41 seconden
What Should Your Characters Talk About?
30-4-2018 • 14 minuten, 28 seconden
Your Ultimate First Chapter Checklist, Pt. 3: Introducing the Story
23-4-2018 • 19 minuten, 50 seconden
Your Ultimate First Chapter Checklist, Pt. 2: Writing the Opening Chapter
16-4-2018 • 18 minuten, 5 seconden
Your Ultimate First Chapter Checklist, Pt. 1: Hooking Readers
9-4-2018 • 12 minuten, 41 seconden
How to Decide Between Plain Prose and Beautiful Prose
2-4-2018 • 16 minuten, 38 seconden
Learn 5 Ways to Take Risks With Your Writing
19-3-2018 • 16 minuten, 30 seconden
How to Spot and Avoid Self-Indulgent Writing
12-3-2018 • 18 minuten, 12 seconden
Don't Write Scenes--Write Images
26-2-2018 • 17 minuten, 18 seconden
Cohesion and Resonance! Cohesion and Resonance! Cohesion and Resonance!
12-2-2018 • 16 minuten, 38 seconden
4 Tips for Writing to the Right Audience
5-2-2018 • 16 minuten, 15 seconden
4 Ways for Writers to Become Better Readers
29-1-2018 • 12 minuten, 45 seconden
The Words That Changed Your Life: Discovering What Made You a Writer
22-1-2018 • 13 minuten, 26 seconden
4 (Possible) Reasons Why We Write
15-1-2018 • 15 minuten, 12 seconden
The 5 Secrets of Good Storytelling (That Writers Forget All the Time)
8-1-2018 • 18 minuten, 13 seconden
4 Life-Changing New Year's Lessons for Writers
1-1-2018 • 16 minuten, 33 seconden
My Top Books of 2017
11-12-2017 • 11 minuten, 52 seconden
How to Write Funny
27-11-2017 • 19 minuten, 14 seconden
Tips for How to Choose the Right Sentences
20-11-2017 • 19 minuten, 7 seconden
5 (Not-So-Little) Additions to the Great Novel-Writing Checklist
13-11-2017 • 17 minuten, 24 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 63: Purple Prose
6-11-2017 • 13 minuten, 2 seconden
The Great Novel-Writing Checklist
30-10-2017 • 17 minuten, 52 seconden
4 Ways to Prevent Formulaic Story Structure
23-10-2017 • 16 minuten, 56 seconden
The Only Good Reason to Write
16-10-2017 • 17 minuten, 19 seconden
4 Reasons You're Confused About Scene Structure (With Examples)
9-10-2017 • 12 minuten, 21 seconden
6 Lifestyle Changes You Can Make to Protect Creativity
Life creates art, but life also devours art. Learn how important it is for committed artists to take steps to protect creativity.
25-9-2017 • 21 minuten, 9 seconden
5 Tips for Organizing Subplots
18-9-2017 • 18 minuten, 10 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 62: Head-Hopping POV
4-9-2017 • 11 minuten, 26 seconden
7 Ways to Write Thematically-Pertinent Antagonists
28-8-2017 • 20 minuten, 44 seconden
4 Questions You Should Never Ask About Your Book
21-8-2017 • 14 minuten
4 Ways to Write a Thought-Provoking Mentor Character
14-8-2017 • 17 minuten, 57 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 61: 5 Types of Clunky Dialogue
7-8-2017 • 14 minuten, 36 seconden
5 Tips for Writing a Likable "Righteous" Character
31-7-2017 • 19 minuten, 33 seconden
16 Ways to Make Your Setting a Character in Its Own Right
24-7-2017 • 16 minuten, 8 seconden
Writing Voice: 6 Things You Need to Know to Improve It
17-7-2017 • 14 minuten, 12 seconden
How to Ace the First Act in Your Sequel
10-7-2017 • 18 minuten, 46 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 60: Flat Plots
3-7-2017 • 16 minuten, 37 seconden
How to Calculate Your Book's Length Before Writing
26-6-2017 • 18 minuten, 1 seconde
Learn How to Make the Most of the 5 Stages of the Writing Process
19-6-2017 • 20 minuten, 9 seconden
5 Ways to Write a Perfect First Draft (or Nearly)
12-6-2017 • 16 minuten, 33 seconden
Are You a Writer or a Storyteller?
5-6-2017 • 17 minuten, 51 seconden
5 Misconceptions About Writing That I Used to Believe
22-5-2017 • 17 minuten, 36 seconden
When Does Writing Get Easier? The 4 Steps to Mastery
15-5-2017 • 17 minuten, 14 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 59: Overly Complex Plots
1-5-2017 • 16 minuten
3 Ways to Make Your Writing More Visual
24-4-2017 • 16 minuten, 47 seconden
3 Ways to Test Your Story's Emotional Stakes
17-4-2017 • 18 minuten, 20 seconden
How to Benefit From the Biggest Reason for Storytelling
10-4-2017 • 12 minuten, 39 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 58: Too Much Description
3-4-2017 • 20 minuten, 8 seconden
The 7 Stages of Being a Writer (How Many Have You Experienced?)
27-3-2017 • 17 minuten, 23 seconden
9 Tips for How to Write Opening and Closing Lines Readers Will Love to Quote
20-3-2017 • 16 minuten, 46 seconden
5 Rules for How to Write a Sequel to Your Book
13-3-2017 • 18 minuten, 43 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 57: Dead-End Relationships
6-3-2017 • 18 minuten, 15 seconden
The Lazy Author's 6-Question Guide to Writing an Original Book
27-2-2017 • 18 minuten, 33 seconden
Learn How to Pace Your Story (and Mind-Control Your Readers) in Just 8 Steps
20-2-2017 • 16 minuten, 23 seconden
8 Ways to Troubleshoot a Scene--and 5 Ways Make It Fabulous
13-2-2017 • 17 minuten, 46 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 56: Unfulfilled Foreshadowing
6-2-2017 • 15 minuten, 37 seconden
How to Find Exactly the Right Story Hook
30-1-2017 • 19 minuten, 6 seconden
How to Outline a Series of Bestselling Books
16-1-2017 • 16 minuten, 51 seconden
Top 10 Ways to Rivet Readers with Plot Reveals
9-1-2017 • 19 minuten, 58 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 55: Beginning Your Story Too Late
2-1-2017 • 17 minuten, 46 seconden
Deepen Your Story With Character Misdirection
26-12-2016 • 17 minuten, 25 seconden
The #1 Way to Write Intense Story Conflict
19-12-2016 • 13 minuten, 56 seconden
A New Way to Think About Scene Structure
12-12-2016 • 11 minuten, 18 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 54: Story Events That Don't Move the Plot
5-12-2016 • 13 minuten, 57 seconden
How to Write a Scene Outline You Can Use (How to Outline for NaNoWriMo, Pt. 9)
28-11-2016 • 14 minuten, 36 seconden
Making the Most of Character Interviews (How to Outline for NaNoWriMo, Pt. 8)
21-11-2016 • 15 minuten, 41 seconden
How to Structure Your Story's Outline (How to Outline for NaNoWriMo, Pt. 7)
14-11-2016 • 17 minuten, 50 seconden
3 Tips for Weaving Together Your Story's Pieces (How to Outline for NaNoWriMo, Pt. 6)
7-11-2016 • 12 minuten, 54 seconden
4 Ways to Write Backstory That Matters (How to Outline for NaNoWriMo, Pt. 5)
31-10-2016 • 17 minuten, 19 seconden
How to Find and Fill All Your Plot Holes (How to Outline for NaNoWriMo, Pt. 4)
24-10-2016 • 14 minuten, 56 seconden
3 Steps to Find the Heart of Your Story (How to Outline for NaNoWriMo, Pt. 3)
17-10-2016 • 17 minuten, 22 seconden
Start Your Outline With These 4 Questions (How to Outline for NaNoWriMo, Pt. 2)
10-10-2016 • 20 minuten, 15 seconden
How to Outline for NaNoWriMo: Should You Outline Your Novel?
3-10-2016 • 15 minuten, 4 seconden
7 Questions You Have About Scenes vs. Chapters
26-9-2016 • 15 minuten, 59 seconden
The Secret to Writing Dynamic Characters: It's Always Their Fault
19-9-2016 • 17 minuten, 54 seconden
The Only 5 Ingredients You Need for Story Subtext
12-9-2016 • 21 minuten, 29 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 53: No Contractions in Dialogue
5-9-2016 • 11 minuten, 2 seconden
6 Reasons You Need to Make Way More Writing Mistakes
29-8-2016 • 15 minuten, 28 seconden
How to Find the Right Critique Partner: The 6-Step Checklist
15-8-2016 • 16 minuten, 45 seconden
15 More Reasons Writing Is Important (in Your Own Words)
8-8-2016 • 14 minuten, 12 seconden
How to Use Scrivener to Edit Your Novels
1-8-2016 • 17 minuten, 2 seconden
5 Reasons Writing Is Important to the World
25-7-2016 • 16 minuten, 17 seconden
4 Ways to Verify Your Story Concept Is Strong Enough
18-7-2016 • 13 minuten, 42 seconden
7 Reasons You Need Story Theory
11-7-2016 • 15 minuten, 46 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 52: Stagnant Story Conflict
4-7-2016 • 11 minuten, 59 seconden
5 Secrets of Complex Supporting Characters
27-6-2016 • 13 minuten, 13 seconden
How to Plot a Book: Start With the Antagonist
20-6-2016 • 17 minuten, 3 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 51: One-Dimensional Characters
13-6-2016 • 15 minuten, 12 seconden
6 Tips for How to Organize Your Novel's Edits
29-5-2016 • 12 minuten, 2 seconden
How to Write Faster (and Why Maybe You Shouldn't)
15-5-2016 • 16 minuten, 8 seconden
Planning Your Story: What George Lucas Can Teach You (Not) to Do
8-5-2016 • 16 minuten, 37 seconden
6 Tips to Help You Finish Your Book
1-5-2016 • 19 minuten, 45 seconden
Do You Have a Writing Superpower? (And Why You Shouldn't)
24-4-2016 • 12 minuten, 25 seconden
Everything You Need to Know About Writing a 3rd-Person POV
17-4-2016 • 18 minuten, 47 seconden
Novel Research: 12 Ways to Ace Your Book
10-4-2016 • 18 minuten, 41 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 50: Info Dumps
3-4-2016 • 18 minuten, 53 seconden
How to Know When to Write The End
27-3-2016 • 11 minuten, 40 seconden
5 (More) Ways to Trim Your Book's Word Count, Pt. 2 of 2
20-3-2016 • 11 minuten, 26 seconden
5 Ways to Trim Your Book's Word Count, Pt. 1 of 2
14-3-2016 • 9 minuten, 35 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 49: Weak Conjunctions
7-3-2016 • 9 minuten, 54 seconden
How to Create Awesome Scene Arcs That Surprise Readers
28-2-2016 • 12 minuten, 40 seconden
5 Important Ways Storytelling Is Different in Books vs. Movies
15-2-2016 • 16 minuten, 33 seconden
The 4 Tweaks to Writing Truly Original Stories and Characters
1-2-2016 • 14 minuten, 18 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 48: No Conflict Between Characters
1-2-2016 • 7 minuten, 37 seconden
Your NaNo Novel Is a Hot Mess! How to Edit Your Book
25-1-2016 • 15 minuten, 30 seconden
The Re-Readability Factor: Does Your Book Have It? 5 Ways to Make It Happen
11-1-2016 • 13 minuten, 21 seconden
Most Common Mistakes Series, Pt. 47: Ineffective Setting Descriptions
4-1-2016 • 10 minuten, 42 seconden
How to Study Plot and Character in Your Favorite Stories: 5 Easy Steps
28-12-2015 • 12 minuten, 18 seconden
Coincidences in Fiction: What You're Doing Wrong
21-12-2015 • 13 minuten
Not Feeling Creative? 4 Ways to Reignite the "Wonder" in Your Writing
14-12-2015 • 12 minuten, 34 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 46: Anticlimactic Endings
7-12-2015 • 12 minuten, 39 seconden
How to Choose the Right POV (What I Learned Writing Storming)
30-11-2015 • 15 minuten, 6 seconden
How to Write Multiple Antagonists (What I Learned Writing Storming)
23-11-2015 • 13 minuten, 12 seconden
How to Write Can't-Look-Away Chapter Breaks (What I Learned Writing Storming)
16-11-2015 • 15 minuten, 12 seconden
6 Steps to Create a Fantastic Narrative Voice (What I Learned Writing Storming)
9-11-2015 • 14 minuten, 32 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 45: Avoiding "Said"
2-11-2015 • 9 minuten, 43 seconden
How to Win NaNo Using Totally Doable Daily and Weekly Writing Goals
26-10-2015 • 14 minuten, 29 seconden
7 Ways to Keep Writing During NaNo When You Only Want to Watch Football
19-10-2015 • 13 minuten, 59 seconden
6 Tasks You'll Love Yourself for Checking Off Your NaNo Pre-Writing List
12-10-2015 • 17 minuten, 22 seconden
7 Ways to Use NaNoWriMo to Make You a Better Writer All Year Long
5-10-2015 • 14 minuten
Your Fiction May Be Failing for One Simple Reason: You're Not Being Honest
28-9-2015 • 10 minuten, 52 seconden
How to Edit Fiction: Watch Me Correct My Own Story in Real Time
21-9-2015 • 15 minuten, 37 seconden
8 Paragraph Mistakes You Don't Know You're Making
14-9-2015 • 9 minuten, 22 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 44: Too Many Participle Phrases
7-9-2015 • 9 minuten, 44 seconden
How to Write a Sequel That's BETTER Than the First Book
31-8-2015 • 14 minuten, 10 seconden
Protagonist and Main Character- Same Person? The Answer May Transform Your Story!
24-8-2015 • 11 minuten, 55 seconden
New Story Ideas Distracting You From Your Book? Find Out What You Should Do
17-8-2015 • 14 minuten, 24 seconden
4 Methods to Invigorate Your Prose With Surprising Sentences
9-8-2015 • 9 minuten, 48 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 43: Too Many Exclamation Points!
2-8-2015 • 10 minuten, 9 seconden
4 Ways to Write a Likable Protagonist at the Start of His Character Arc
26-7-2015 • 12 minuten, 27 seconden
Whom Should You Be Writing For? Yourself or Your Readers?
19-7-2015 • 12 minuten, 24 seconden
The Hardest Part of Writing Good Character Arcs-and How You Can Make It Look Easy!
12-7-2015 • 12 minuten, 38 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 42: When Your Story Stakes Aren't High Enough
5-7-2015 • 9 minuten, 3 seconden
3 Ways to Make Writing Your Novel Easier
28-6-2015 • 12 minuten, 17 seconden
Ep. 266: What Every Writer Ought to Know About the Omniscient POV
What's the problem with omniscient POV? Why are so many authors confused about it? And why are so many editors delivering digital hand slaps because of it?
21-6-2015 • 15 minuten, 15 seconden
Ep. 255: Never Confuse the Key Event and the First Plot Point in Your Book Again!
Did you know a full understanding of the Key Event, its role in story structure, and its timing will help you write stronger First Plot Points?
14-6-2015 • 10 minuten, 30 seconden
Ep. 254: Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 41: Inferring Non-POV Characters' Thoughts
Is your narrator killing subtext by inferring other characters' thoughts too accurately? Find out in this latest of the Most Common Writing Mistakes!
7-6-2015 • 10 minuten, 16 seconden
Ep. 256: A Reactive Protagonist Doesn't Have to Be a Passive Protagonist! Discover the Difference
One of the stickiest questions any writer is likely to face is: What's the difference between a reactive protagonist and a passive protagonist?
31-5-2015 • 9 minuten, 29 seconden
Ep. 255: Stories That Matter: 5 Necessary Factors for Weighty Fiction
Can you identify the five most important factors in creating weight and substance in stories that matter?
24-5-2015 • 13 minuten, 48 seconden
Ep. 254: How the Perfect Midpoint Moves Your Protagonist From Reaction to Action
When your story's Midpoint properly facilitates the all-important shift in the middle of your story, your conflict is sure to progress in a powerful way.
17-5-2015 • 8 minuten, 53 seconden
Ep. 253: Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 40: Unnecessary Scenes
Discover four types of unnecessary scenes that may be sinking your book - and three ways to find them and kill them.
3-5-2015 • 12 minuten, 33 seconden
Ep. 252: Find Out if Your Prologue Is Destroying Your Story’s Subtext
Take a look at how poor prologues sap stories, how no prologue can strengthen stories, and how to determine if your story is one of the exceptions.
26-4-2015 • 15 minuten, 34 seconden
Ep. 251: My Writing Process, Pt. 2 of 2: How I Use Scrivener to Write My First Drafts
Here's what my daily writing process looks like when using Scrivener for my first drafts.
19-4-2015 • 10 minuten, 58 seconden
Ep. 250: My Writing Process, Pt. 1 of 2: How I Use Scrivener to Outline My Novels
Today, I'm offering a sneak peek under the hood of my writing process when using Scrivener - and how you can use Scrivener to up your writing game.
12-4-2015 • 12 minuten, 33 seconden
Want Readers to Adore Your Book? Learn How to Ace Your Climactic Moment
The Climactic Moment is the reason your story is even being told in the first place. Needless to say, it's pretty important you get it right. Find out how!
5-4-2015 • 13 minuten, 50 seconden
Ep. 248: What Are Pinch Points? And How Can They Make Your Book Easier to Write?
What are pinch points? Of all the important moments in your story, they are most likely to be neglected. But they're crucial to your story structure.
29-3-2015 • 12 minuten, 23 seconden
Ep. 247: Your Book’s Inciting Event: It’s Not What You Think It Is
The trouble with identifying the Inciting Event is that the term is applied rather wildly to half a dozen different moments in the story. Which is right?
22-3-2015 • 16 minuten, 9 seconden
Ep. 246: Want to Know More About the Structure of Your Favorite Books and Movies? Announcing the Story Structure Database!
Today, I'm excited to put an end to the guessing about the "Big Secret" and unveil a new resource for authors. The official Story Structure Database.
15-3-2015 • 8 minuten, 41 seconden
Ep. 245: For Writers on the Verge of Writing Spectacularly Complex Characters
The ironic thing about about complex characters in fiction is that the essence of what makes them so wonderfully complicated is actually incredibly simple.
8-3-2015 • 8 minuten, 52 seconden
Ep. 244: Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 39: Referencing Characters by Title Rather Than Name
In the time it takes to write two words, you might distance readers from your narrative. Luckily, this one of our common writing mistakes is an easy fix.
1-3-2015 • 9 minuten, 55 seconden
Ep. 243: Do You Know the 6 Must-Have Elements of a "Wow" Story Premise?
Discover how a good story premise can help you eliminate structural weaknesses and create a valuable tool for outlining and pitching your novel.
22-2-2015 • 9 minuten, 25 seconden
Ep. 242: The Crucial Way to Figure Out How Much Time Your Story Should Cover
The length of the timeline is an important factor in any story. Take a moment to consider just how much time your story should cover.
15-2-2015 • 10 minuten, 27 seconden
Ep. 241: The 5 Secrets of Choosing the Right Setting for Your Story's Climax
What makes a great climactic setting? Consider five important techniques for making the most of the setting in your story's climax.
8-2-2015 • 10 minuten, 34 seconden
Ep. 240: Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 38: Irrelevant Book Endings
One of the easiest writing mistakes to fall into in your book endings is actually one that has much to do with book beginnings--and, indeed, the entirety of your book.
1-2-2015 • 8 minuten, 27 seconden
Ep. 239: The Lazy Author's Way to Identify and Overcome Writing Weaknesses
Go beyond the vague sense that's something wrong with your story and use these five tips to figure out what your writing weaknesses are.
25-1-2015 • 11 minuten, 11 seconden
Ep. 238: Get Rid of On-the-Nose Dialogue Once and For All
If you can identify on-the-nose dialogue and learn how to replace it with rich undercurrents of subtext, you're on your way to becoming a master author.
18-1-2015 • 11 minuten, 30 seconden
Ep. 273: Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 37: Unnecessary Filler
As we continue to discuss the most common writing mistakes, we'd be remiss to leave out the all-too-prevalent faux pas of unnecessary filler or padding.
4-1-2015 • 7 minuten, 46 seconden
Ep. 275: How to Pitch Your Novel: What's the Difference Between Your Story's Hook and Your Story's Heart?
When figuring out how to pitch your novel, you may realize your story's hook and its heart might not be compatible within such a short description.
28-12-2014 • 12 minuten, 7 seconden
A Quick Guide to Beta Reader Etiquette
21-12-2014 • 14 minuten, 4 seconden
What's the Difference Between Your Story's Theme and Its Message?
14-12-2014 • 10 minuten, 14 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 36: Too Much Introspection, Not Enough Interaction
7-12-2014 • 8 minuten, 15 seconden
What Is the Role of Theme in a Story's Climax?
23-11-2014 • 8 minuten, 44 seconden
Want a Powerful Theme for Your Novel? Play Devil's Advocate!
23-11-2014 • 8 minuten, 56 seconden
Don't Know Your Story's Theme? Take a Look at Your Character's Arc
16-11-2014 • 9 minuten, 5 seconden
How Much Realism Does Your Novel REALLY Need?
9-11-2014 • 9 minuten, 55 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 35: Random Story Elements
2-11-2014 • 13 minuten, 15 seconden
Why Your Character's Goal Needs to Be 1 of These 5 Things
26-10-2014 • 11 minuten
Story Concept and Story Premise: Do You Know the Crucial Difference?
19-10-2014 • 8 minuten, 56 seconden
FAQ: How to Write Character Arcs in a Series
12-10-2014 • 9 minuten, 30 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 34: Repetitive Dialogue
5-10-2014 • 8 minuten, 30 seconden
What if Your Story Has No Character Arc?
28-9-2014 • 8 minuten, 33 seconden
You've Been Writing Sentences Wrong All Your Life! Find Out Why
21-9-2014 • 7 minuten, 11 seconden
How to Use Rewards and Punishments to Get Your Character to Change
14-9-2014 • 8 minuten, 30 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 33: Telling Important Scenes, Instead of Showing
7-9-2014 • 6 minuten, 48 seconden
Should All Your Minor Characters Have Arcs?
31-8-2014 • 11 minuten, 2 seconden
The Impact Character: Why Every Character Arc Needs One
24-8-2014 • 8 minuten, 5 seconden
Can a Character's Arc Be a Subplot?
17-8-2014 • 9 minuten, 7 seconden
How to Figure Out WHAT Your Character's Arc Should Be
10-8-2014 • 8 minuten, 50 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 32: Boring Opening Lines
3-8-2014 • 8 minuten, 5 seconden
How to Write a Negative Character Arc, Pt. 3: The Third Act
27-7-2014 • 21 minuten, 11 seconden
How to Write a Negative Character Arc, Pt. 2: The Second Act
20-7-2014 • 18 minuten, 21 seconden
How to Write a Negative Character Arc, Pt. 1: The First Act
13-7-2014 • 22 minuten, 46 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 31: One-Dimensional Conflict
6-7-2014 • 7 minuten, 7 seconden
Why Every Story You Write Is a Guaranteed Failure
29-6-2014 • 8 minuten, 15 seconden
How to Write a Flat Character Arc, Pt. 3: The Third Act
22-6-2014 • 21 minuten, 2 seconden
How to Write a Flat Character Arc, Pt. 2: The Second Act
15-6-2014 • 20 minuten, 32 seconden
How to Write a Flat Character Arc, Pt. 1: The First Act
8-6-2014 • 16 minuten, 35 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 30: Describing Character Movements
1-6-2014 • 7 minuten, 10 seconden
Crafting Stunning Character Arcs, Pt. 15: The Resolution
25-5-2014 • 12 minuten, 30 seconden
Crafting Stunning Character Arcs, Pt. 14: The Climax
18-5-2014 • 16 minuten, 26 seconden
Crafting Character Arcs, Pt. 13: The Third Act
11-5-2014 • 16 minuten, 28 seconden
Crafting Stunning Character Arcs, Pt. 12: The Third Plot Point
4-5-2014 • 16 minuten, 7 seconden
Crafting Stunning Character Arcs, Pt. 11: The Second Half of the Second Act
27-4-2014 • 19 minuten, 38 seconden
Crafting Stunning Character Arcs, Pt. 10: The Midpoint
20-4-2014 • 14 minuten, 18 seconden
Crafting Stunning Character Arcs, Pt. 9: The First Half of the Second Act
13-4-2014 • 15 minuten, 47 seconden
Crafting Stunning Character Arcs, Pt. 8: The First Plot Point
30-3-2014 • 14 minuten, 41 seconden
Crafting Stunning Character Arcs, Pt. 7: The First Act
23-3-2014 • 14 minuten, 11 seconden
Crafting Stunning Character Arcs, Pt. 6: The Normal World
16-3-2014 • 14 minuten, 3 seconden
Crafting Stunning Character Arcs, Pt. 5: The Characteristic Moment
9-3-2014 • 15 minuten, 29 seconden
Crafting Stunning Character Arcs, Pt. 4: Your Character's Ghost
2-3-2014 • 11 minuten, 3 seconden
Crafting Stunning Character Arcs, Pt. 3: The Thing Your Character Wants vs. The Thing Your Character Needs
23-2-2014 • 12 minuten, 14 seconden
Crafting Stunning Character Arcs, Pt. 2: The Lie Your Character Believes
16-2-2014 • 10 minuten, 37 seconden
Crafting Stunning Character Arcs, Pt. 1: Can You Structure Character?
9-2-2014 • 8 minuten, 47 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes: Stories That Begin Too Early
2-2-2014 • 6 minuten, 31 seconden
Warning Signs! Your Character Is Acting Out of Character
26-1-2014 • 7 minuten, 16 seconden
How Minor Characters Help You Discover Theme
19-1-2014 • 7 minuten, 54 seconden
How to Successfully Kill a Character: The Checklist
12-1-2014 • 7 minuten, 31 seconden
Eight and a Half Character Archetypes You Should Be Writing
22-12-2013 • 12 minuten, 39 seconden
How the Antagonist Affects Character Arc
15-12-2013 • 6 minuten, 50 seconden
Most Common Writing Mistakes: Weak Character Voice
1-12-2013 • 7 minuten, 36 seconden
How to Double Your Story's Conflict in Seconds
24-11-2013 • 5 minuten, 48 seconden
Top 25 Ways to Write an Awesome Book
17-11-2013 • 4 minuten, 59 seconden
7 Ways to Decide Which Story Idea You Should Write Next
10-11-2013 • 8 minuten, 47 seconden
Most Common Mistakes: Under-Explaining
3-11-2013 • 7 minuten, 17 seconden
3 Signs You Should Give Up on Your Story
27-10-2013 • 9 minuten, 44 seconden
5 Signs You're Hiding Behind Your Writing - and 5 Ways to Use It as a Mirror Instead
20-10-2013 • 7 minuten, 40 seconden
Most Common Mistakes: Characters Who Lack Solid Story Goals
6-10-2013 • 7 minuten, 57 seconden
The Evolution of a Scene: From Outline to First Draft
29-9-2013 • 8 minuten, 47 seconden
10 Ways to Make Readers Loathe Your Antagonist
22-9-2013 • 7 minuten, 29 seconden
How Not to Be a Writer: 15 Signs You're Doing It Wrong
15-9-2013 • 7 minuten, 57 seconden
Most Common Mistakes: Animate Body Parts
8-9-2013 • 6 minuten, 28 seconden
Have You Chosen the Wrong Tone for Your Story?
25-8-2013 • 6 minuten, 47 seconden
6 Must-Know Tricks for Getting to Know Your Characters
18-8-2013 • 10 minuten, 3 seconden
Is Your Prose Too Complex?
4-8-2013 • 6 minuten, 30 seconden
5 Ways to Write a Killer Plot Twist
28-7-2013 • 7 minuten, 1 seconde
When Your Scene Focuses on What Isn't Happening
7-7-2013 • 6 minuten, 22 seconden
8 Promises You're Making to Readers - and Then Breaking
30-6-2013 • 6 minuten, 55 seconden
Exclusive Dialogue: When Readers Don't Know What Your Characters Are Talking About
23-6-2013 • 7 minuten, 21 seconden
Are You Over-Thinking Your First Draft?
16-6-2013 • 8 minuten, 20 seconden
How I Self-Edit My Novels: 15 Steps From First Draft to Publication
9-6-2013 • 14 minuten, 24 seconden
A Surefire Sign You're Over-Explaining
2-6-2013 • 5 minuten, 46 seconden
What if Your Antagonist Isn't a Person?
26-5-2013 • 6 minuten, 57 seconden
5 Reasons You Should Stop Writing
19-5-2013 • 7 minuten, 40 seconden
17 Steps to a Reader-Grabbing Title
12-5-2013 • 9 minuten, 7 seconden
The Do's and Don'ts of Dialect
5-5-2013 • 9 minuten, 17 seconden
How to Use Foreshadowing
28-4-2013 • 8 minuten, 24 seconden
Be a Better Writer: Get Organized
21-4-2013 • 7 minuten, 10 seconden
Why "Suddenly" Is a Four-Letter Word
7-4-2013 • 6 minuten, 31 seconden
Why You Need to Be Excited About Every Single Thing You Write
31-3-2013 • 6 minuten, 56 seconden
Why the Reader Is Your Co-Writer
24-3-2013 • 6 minuten, 56 seconden
Top 10 Sentence Slip-Ups
17-3-2013 • 10 minuten, 8 seconden
Motivation-Reaction Units: Cracking the Code of Good Writing
10-3-2013 • 9 minuten
Incidents and Happenings: Scenes That Aren't Actually Scenes
3-3-2013 • 6 minuten, 50 seconden
Frequently Asked Questions About Scene Structure
24-2-2013 • 7 minuten, 3 seconden
Variations on the Sequel
17-2-2013 • 9 minuten, 25 seconden
Options for Decisions in a Sequel
10-2-2013 • 11 minuten, 11 seconden
Options for Dilemmas in a Sequel
3-2-2013 • 10 minuten, 55 seconden
Options for Reactions in a Sequel
27-1-2013 • 11 minuten, 52 seconden
The Three Building Blocks of the Sequel
20-1-2013 • 10 minuten, 31 seconden
Variations on the Scene
13-1-2013 • 10 minuten, 26 seconden
Options for Disasters in a Scene
6-1-2013 • 11 minuten, 54 seconden
Options for Conflict in a Scene
30-12-2012 • 11 minuten, 8 seconden
Options for Goals in a Scene
23-12-2012 • 11 minuten, 14 seconden
The Three Building Blocks of the Scene
16-12-2012 • 9 minuten, 38 seconden
Mastering the Two Different Types of Scene
9-12-2012 • 6 minuten, 14 seconden
6 Types of Courageous Characters
25-11-2012 • 8 minuten, 49 seconden
Why Non-Writers Give the Best Critiques
18-11-2012 • 7 minuten, 41 seconden
Why Writers Should Never Hit Delete
11-11-2012 • 6 minuten, 26 seconden
Your Must-Have Book Checklist: From Idea to Publication
4-11-2012 • 10 minuten, 32 seconden
10 Stories With (Brilliant) Loose Ends
28-10-2012 • 6 minuten, 57 seconden
How to Tell if Your Book Is a Success
21-10-2012 • 7 minuten, 35 seconden
What's Your Writing Personality?
14-10-2012 • 12 minuten, 22 seconden
Are You Skipping the Best Parts?
7-10-2012 • 6 minuten, 52 seconden
Professional Resources for Writers
30-9-2012 • 5 minuten, 45 seconden
Why Story Beginnings and Endings Must Be Linked
23-9-2012 • 6 minuten
Why Your Story's Conflict Isn't Working
16-9-2012 • 6 minuten, 19 seconden
10 Excuses for Not Writing - and How to Smash Them
9-9-2012 • 8 minuten, 48 seconden
Most Common Mistakes Series: Does Your Character Lack Purpose?
2-9-2012 • 5 minuten, 56 seconden
5 Ways You're Preventing Readers From Suspending Disbelief
26-8-2012 • 7 minuten, 8 seconden
Add Muscle to Your Fiction With Unity and Contrast
19-8-2012 • 6 minuten, 8 seconden
6 Ways to Pull off Dual Timelines in Your Novel
12-8-2012 • 6 minuten, 35 seconden
How You May Be Killing Your Story's Tension
5-8-2012 • 6 minuten, 38 seconden
5 Reasons to Write Your Scenes in Order (and 3 Not to)
29-7-2012 • 7 minuten, 9 seconden
What's the Purpose of Your Scene?
22-7-2012 • 6 minuten, 26 seconden
10 Questions Your Readers Shouldn't Have to Ask
15-7-2012 • 6 minuten, 11 seconden
Talent vs. Learning: Do You Have to Be Born a Writer?
8-7-2012 • 5 minuten, 33 seconden
Why Do Bad Books Get Published?
1-7-2012 • 7 minuten, 44 seconden
Are You Writing Your Novel Too Fast?
24-6-2012 • 7 minuten, 18 seconden
The Top 25 Ways to Blow a Book
17-6-2012 • 5 minuten, 26 seconden
How to Spot and Fix Non-Reactive and Over-Reactive Characters
10-6-2012 • 7 minuten, 14 seconden
The Two Conflict-Creating Needs of Every Character
3-6-2012 • 7 minuten, 30 seconden
How Routines Save (and Ruin) Your Writing
27-5-2012 • 9 minuten, 13 seconden
Why Self-Conscious Writers Are Doomed
20-5-2012 • 6 minuten, 17 seconden
The Secrets of Story Structure, Pt. 12: Your Questions Answered
13-5-2012 • 10 minuten, 47 seconden
The Secrets of Story Structure, Pt. 11: The Resolution
6-5-2012 • 12 minuten, 43 seconden
The Secrets of Story Structure, Pt. 10: The Climax
29-4-2012 • 10 minuten, 37 seconden
The Secrets of Story Structure, Pt. 9: The Third Act
22-4-2012 • 11 minuten, 39 seconden
The Secrets of Story Structure, Pt. 8: The Second Half of the Second Act
15-4-2012 • 10 minuten, 3 seconden
The Secrets of Story Structure, Pt. 7: The Midpoint
8-4-2012 • 10 minuten, 16 seconden
The Secrets of Story Structure, Pt. 6: The First Half of the Second Act
1-4-2012 • 9 minuten, 8 seconden
The Secrets of Story Structure, Pt. 5: The Inciting Event and the Key Event
25-3-2012 • 9 minuten, 50 seconden
The Secrets of Story Structure, Pt. 4: The First Plot Point
18-3-2012 • 9 minuten, 48 seconden
The Secrets of Story Structure, Pt. 3: The First Act
11-3-2012 • 9 minuten, 25 seconden
The Secrets of Story Structure, Pt. 2: The Hook
4-3-2012 • 8 minuten, 47 seconden
The Secrets of Story Structure, Pt. 1: Why Should Authors Care?
26-2-2012 • 6 minuten, 31 seconden
A Wordplayer's Manifesto
19-2-2012 • 4 minuten, 40 seconden
The Writer's Guide to Punctuation
12-2-2012 • 7 minuten, 23 seconden
The Case of the Vanishing Setting
5-2-2012 • 7 minuten, 19 seconden
Don't Let Multiple-Character Scenes Run Away With You
22-1-2012 • 5 minuten, 37 seconden
How I Learned to Write - And How You Can Too
15-1-2012 • 7 minuten, 5 seconden
Don't Drown Your Readers in Explanations
8-1-2012 • 5 minuten, 6 seconden
12 Writing Resolutions for the 12 Months of 2012
1-1-2012 • 6 minuten, 37 seconden
The Christmas Gifts I'm Most Thankful For This Year
25-12-2011 • 4 minuten, 34 seconden
How Do You Decide Which Story You Should Write?
18-12-2011 • 5 minuten, 27 seconden
25 "Under $25" Christmas Gifts for Writers
11-12-2011 • 2 minuten, 58 seconden
Are Your Flashbacks Flashy or Flabby?
4-12-2011 • 7 minuten, 6 seconden
Action/Reaction - The Pistons Powering Your Story
27-11-2011 • 5 minuten, 10 seconden
4 Reasons to Mimic the Masters - and 4 Reasons Not to
20-11-2011 • 6 minuten, 5 seconden
How Do You Know Which Rules to Break?
13-11-2011 • 5 minuten, 14 seconden
Do Readers See Your Characters the Way You Want Them To?
6-11-2011 • 6 minuten, 5 seconden
10 Fear Busters for Writers
30-10-2011 • 6 minuten, 51 seconden
5 Elements of a Resonant Closing Line
23-10-2011 • 8 minuten, 21 seconden
5 Fun and Easy Ways to Lengthen Your Word Count
16-10-2011 • 5 minuten, 46 seconden
The Dangers of Character Overload
2-10-2011 • 5 minuten, 51 seconden
What Elements Make a Good Book?
25-9-2011 • 4 minuten, 41 seconden
5 Elements of a Riveting First Line
18-9-2011 • 8 minuten, 7 seconden
Why Your Hero Absolutely Must Pet a Dog
11-9-2011 • 5 minuten, 45 seconden
Most Common Mistakes Series: Is Nothin' Happening in Your Scene?
4-9-2011 • 7 minuten, 4 seconden
Why Your Protagonist and Antagonist Should Be Stuck Like Glue
28-8-2011 • 5 minuten, 32 seconden
Captain America's 10-Step Guide to the Likable Hero
21-8-2011 • 8 minuten, 12 seconden
10 Stylistic Mistakes Sabotaging Your Story
14-8-2011 • 4 minuten, 11 seconden
7 Ways to Make Family and Pets Respect Your Writing Time
7-8-2011 • 6 minuten, 29 seconden
Why You Should Kick Your Story Aside and Write a Different One
31-7-2011 • 5 minuten, 9 seconden
What The Story Knows Best Really Means
24-7-2011 • 5 minuten, 11 seconden
Deus Ex Machina: Latin for Don't Do This in Your Story
17-7-2011 • 6 minuten
The Fast and Easy Guide to Writing Characters of the Opposite Gender
10-7-2011 • 5 minuten, 57 seconden
Is Your Opening Line Lying to Your Readers?
3-7-2011 • 5 minuten, 31 seconden
Why There's No Such Thing as a Writing Expert - And Why That's a Good Thing
26-6-2011 • 5 minuten, 42 seconden
Save Your Readers From Boredom: Five Fool-Proof Preventatives
19-6-2011 • 5 minuten, 24 seconden
4 Tricks for Picking the Perfect Word
12-6-2011 • 5 minuten, 24 seconden
Is Your First-Person Narrator Overpowering Your Story?
5-6-2011 • 5 minuten, 50 seconden
Are Happy Endings a Must?
29-5-2011 • 5 minuten, 57 seconden
The Kung Fu Panda Guide to Writing Action Scenes
22-5-2011 • 7 minuten, 41 seconden
The Secret Ingredient of Original Stories
15-5-2011 • 5 minuten, 12 seconden
Ideas for Constructing Your Own Writing Routine
8-5-2011 • 4 minuten, 49 seconden
Understanding - and Accepting - the Reasons You Write
1-5-2011 • 5 minuten, 1 seconde
What Is a 50-Page Edit... and Why Will It Rock Your Story?
24-4-2011 • 5 minuten, 16 seconden
How Not to Use Speaker Tags and Action Beats
17-4-2011 • 5 minuten, 36 seconden
3 Traits Your Hero and Villain Should Share
10-4-2011 • 6 minuten, 12 seconden
4 Ways to Avoid the Pitfalls of a Writer's Solitude
3-4-2011 • 6 minuten, 44 seconden
Why Writers Should Take Their Own Advice
27-3-2011 • 5 minuten, 32 seconden
Why Vague Writing Is Weak Writing
20-3-2011 • 5 minuten, 18 seconden
Are You Asking These Important Questions About Your Fantasy Setting?
13-3-2011 • 6 minuten, 3 seconden
What I Love Lucy Can Teach You About Writing Tics
6-3-2011 • 6 minuten, 30 seconden
8 Signs Your Writing Is Stuck in a Rut - And Why You Should Care
13-2-2011 • 5 minuten, 37 seconden
Are You Confusing Readers With Poor Cause and Effect?
6-2-2011 • 6 minuten, 29 seconden
Why You Should Read the Type of Stories You Write
23-1-2011 • 4 minuten, 51 seconden
The Good News? Writing Never Gets Any Easier
23-1-2011 • 5 minuten, 53 seconden
10 Steps for Getting Past the "This Stinks" Blues
16-1-2011 • 5 minuten, 38 seconden
Are You Using "There" as a Crutch?
9-1-2011 • 4 minuten, 39 seconden
10 Writing Resolutions You Can Fulfill
2-1-2011 • 6 minuten, 2 seconden
7 Reasons Weather Is a Writer's Friend
26-12-2010 • 5 minuten, 15 seconden
Are Your Verbs Showing or Telling?
19-12-2010 • 5 minuten, 8 seconden
8 Reasons to Let Your Story Ripen
12-12-2010 • 5 minuten, 26 seconden
What Kind of Writer Are You?
5-12-2010 • 5 minuten, 29 seconden
Description: Friend or Foe?
28-11-2010 • 5 minuten, 41 seconden
Why Are You Writing This Story?
14-11-2010 • 5 minuten, 9 seconden
Are You Dating Your Fiction?
7-11-2010 • 6 minuten, 11 seconden
Juxtaposition: The Power of the Unexpected in Fiction
31-10-2010 • 5 minuten, 26 seconden
Use Motion to Spice up Your Scenes
24-10-2010 • 5 minuten, 32 seconden
Love Your Characters - Or Else!
17-10-2010 • 5 minuten, 52 seconden
Is Your Dialogue Pulling Its Weight?
10-10-2010 • 7 minuten, 21 seconden
The Worst Writing Advice
3-10-2010 • 5 minuten, 29 seconden
The Best Writing Advice
26-9-2010 • 6 minuten, 17 seconden
Are You a Writer?
19-9-2010 • 6 minuten, 36 seconden
Research: When in Doubt, Make It Up
12-9-2010 • 7 minuten, 10 seconden
Is Your Story Mysterious Enough?
5-9-2010 • 6 minuten, 17 seconden
Should You Edit As You Go?
29-8-2010 • 5 minuten, 59 seconden
Are You Benefiting From the Intimacy of Pronouns?
15-8-2010 • 4 minuten, 52 seconden
5 Steps to Dazzling Minor Characters
8-8-2010 • 6 minuten, 4 seconden
Whap! Pow! Zing! - How Can You Tell if Your Story Has Emotional Resonance?
25-7-2010 • 6 minuten, 2 seconden
Why Your Character's Motive Matters
18-7-2010 • 5 minuten, 23 seconden
6 Reasons a Premise Sentence Strengthens Your Story
11-7-2010 • 6 minuten, 36 seconden
Is the Thesaurus Your Friend?
4-7-2010 • 4 minuten, 38 seconden
Should Stories Be Soapboxes?
27-6-2010 • 5 minuten, 9 seconden
Why No Writer Knows What He's Doing
20-6-2010 • 4 minuten, 39 seconden
Change is the Key to Powerful Character Arcs
13-6-2010 • 4 minuten, 29 seconden
Maximize Your Story's Inciting Event
6-6-2010 • 5 minuten, 9 seconden
8 Ways Writing Longhand Frees Your Muse
30-5-2010 • 5 minuten, 43 seconden
Generality Is the Death of the Novel
23-5-2010 • 5 minuten, 12 seconden
Creating a Functional Writing Station
16-5-2010 • 2 minuten, 36 seconden
Improve Yourself, Improve Your Writing
9-5-2010 • 4 minuten, 34 seconden
When Your Story Doesn't Turn Out Like You Planned
2-5-2010 • 4 minuten, 47 seconden
10 Ways to Write Skinny Sentences
25-4-2010 • 5 minuten, 31 seconden
Why Character Stereotypes Are a Good Thing
18-4-2010 • 5 minuten, 14 seconden
Daydream or Die!
11-4-2010 • 5 minuten, 3 seconden
Are You Using Too Many Settings?
4-4-2010 • 5 minuten, 6 seconden
Does Your Story Have the Extraordinary Factor?
28-3-2010 • 4 minuten, 38 seconden
What a Mouse Can Teach You About Story Arc
22-3-2010 • 5 minuten, 24 seconden
Rewriting Made Easy
14-3-2010 • 5 minuten, 23 seconden
15 Lessons From the Masters
7-3-2010 • 5 minuten, 17 seconden
Three Words That Kill Writing Procrastination
28-2-2010 • 4 minuten, 44 seconden
Strengthen Your Story by Writing the Perfect Review
14-2-2010 • 4 minuten, 14 seconden
Plot vs. Character: Which Is More Important?
7-2-2010 • 5 minuten, 35 seconden
Are You Using Setting to Deepen Your Characters?
31-1-2010 • 5 minuten, 28 seconden
Embrace Your Internal Editor
24-1-2010 • 4 minuten, 52 seconden
Are You Called to Be a Writer?
17-1-2010 • 4 minuten, 12 seconden
Why Word Count Goals Can Be Destructive
10-1-2010 • 4 minuten, 31 seconden
10 Habits of Successful Authors
3-1-2010 • 5 minuten, 18 seconden
11 Killer Chapter Breaks
27-12-2009 • 5 minuten, 20 seconden
Are Your Characters Talking Heads?
20-12-2009 • 4 minuten, 15 seconden
How Music Will Make You a Better Writer
13-12-2009 • 5 minuten, 28 seconden
Why You Should Write More Than One Genre
6-12-2009 • 4 minuten, 35 seconden
4 Reasons I Quit Writing Exercises
29-11-2009 • 5 minuten, 29 seconden
How to Kill a Character - And Avoid Hate Mail
22-11-2009 • 5 minuten, 39 seconden
Top 7 Reasons Readers Stop Reading
15-11-2009 • 6 minuten, 22 seconden
6 Reasons Not to Listen to Your Critique Partner
8-11-2009 • 5 minuten, 11 seconden
11 Dichotomous Characters - And Why They Work
1-11-2009 • 6 minuten, 51 seconden
Emotional Connection: Punch Your Readers in the Gut!
25-10-2009 • 5 minuten, 6 seconden
Should You Outline Backwards?
18-10-2009 • 4 minuten, 34 seconden
Why You Should Be Writing Scared
11-10-2009 • 5 minuten, 9 seconden
Good Writers Are So Lazy, They Make Readers Do All the Work! by Jason Black
4-10-2009 • 4 minuten, 42 seconden
How You Can Take Advantage of Art's Subjectivity
27-9-2009 • 5 minuten, 36 seconden
Should You Write for a Specific Audience?
20-9-2009 • 6 minuten, 16 seconden
9 Ways to Strengthen Your Beginnings
13-9-2009 • 6 minuten, 24 seconden
Angst, Mental Illness, and Creativity by Carolyn Kaufman
