#144: Four Ways To Give Your Voice Presence And Purpose
What exactly is writer's voice? How do you access yours, and how do you express it on the page? In this episode, I'll give you 4 ways to give your voice more presence and purpose in your stories. We'll talk about: What we mean by writer's voiceThe difference between character voice and writer's voiceCommon ways writers struggle with and silence their voice, and 4 tips, along with exercises to help your voice emerge and deepenEpisode Website Not sure if your idea has what it takes...
13 Kesä 202331min
143: How To Get Better Feedback From Beta Readers
You’ve just finished the first draft of your novel, memoir or short story, and now you're seeking beta readers. A beta reader is a test reader or a group of test readers of your unpublished work. Ideally, your beta reader gives feedback from the point of view of an average reader. But how do you go about finding them? What should you look for? What should you avoid? And what are some tips to get the most valuable feedback from your test audience? In this episode, I'm answerin...
6 Kesä 202326min
#142: Your Summer Writing Playlist
Now that summer's officially here, and with Writer Unleashed reaching it's 3rd year of being on the airwaves, I've done a retrospective of past episodes. And I've curated 7 of the most popular episodes from the past year - everything from how to express character emotion, to how to avoid common plot problems, to story structure, to how to approach your craft like a published author. Think of this as your summer writing playlist. Episode 100: 5 Common Plot Problems You Can Avoid E...
30 Touko 202322min
#141: Four Guidelines For Writing Dazzling Description
Description can enrich your story with layers of atmosphere and authenticity that drops the reader inside the world of your story. But sometimes writers assume that in order to create a world for the reader to inhabit, they must pile on loads of details. You may be writing fantasy, or historical fiction, where the setting is unfamiliar or foreign to the reader. So, description is necessary. But how much description is the right amount? When does it become overwhelming ...
23 Touko 202321min
#140: Scene Vs. Summary: When To Write Which
Writers often think they're writing in scene when they're actually writing in summary. So, what is summary? What is scene? And when do you write in one vs. the other? In this episode, I'll break down the crucial difference between scene and summary. You'll learn what moments to reserve for scene and how to blend in summary to enhance your story. Episode Website Not sure if your idea has what it takes to become a powerful story? This free quick guide will help you ...
16 Touko 202319min
#139: Mothers Who Write: How To Find The Time, Energy, and Support
How do mothers balance writing with parenthood? Whether you're a mom of young children, or a single parent holding down a full time job and a full brood, carving out space to write can feel challenging, if not impossible. This episode is a love note to mothers. I'll share my story, along with what I've learned along the way about how to honor the urge to create while being totally present for our kids. We'll cover how to make time, set the conditions to make your writing happen, and ...
9 Touko 202326min
#138: What Kind Of Editor Do You Need?
Whatever stage of the writing process you're in, whether you have a finished first draft, or a work in progress... you may be thinking of hiring an editor. But what does an editor actually do? And at what stage do you hire one? In today's episode, I'm breaking down 3 different types of editors to help you decide what's best for you at whatever stage of development you're at. Episode Website Not sure if your idea has what it takes to become a powerful story? This free quick guide wil...
2 Touko 202320min
#137: The Inciting Incident: How To Launch Your Story's Action
What's an inciting incident, and why does your story need one? In this episode, learn what an inciting incident is, and two types that set your story in motion. We’ll also talk about where in your story to place it, and how to craft your inciting incident to hook your reader. Episode Website Not sure if your idea has what it takes to become a powerful story? This free quick guide will help you uncover the heart of your idea in just three simple steps. You’ll walk away with a one-sentence pr...
25 Huhti 202322min
