#115: Student Spotlight: How Anne Mortensen Went From Inspiration to Publication (& Indie Published Her Novels)
“I tried to ignore it, but when inspiration strikes, sometimes the inspiration keeps striking, and it just didn't want to go.” - Anne Mortensen In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Anne Mortensen to talk through what it was like to write, edit, and publish not one, but two of her books. You'll also get an exclusive look at her experience working alongside a developmental editor and book coach (that's me!) to bring her stories to life. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:05] Anne i...
7 Nov 202347min
#114: 3 Common Dialogue Mistakes (And How To Fix Them)
“Dialogue is a form of action. We can utilize what's happening around the dialogue to assist what's being said.” - Savannah Gilbo Today, I'm thrilled to talk about the intricate art of dialogue with you once more. We're going to explore three common pitfalls that often lurk in dialogue and learning how to navigate these challenges can truly elevate your storytelling. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:34] Savannah explains the meaning of attributions and what to do when you doubt if ...
31 Okt 202317min
#113: First Chapter Analysis: The Magicians by Lev Grossman
“I feel that emotional connection, the emotional struggles here are going to be a big gameplay in how the story is executed.” - Abigail K. Perry Magic has always fascinated us, hasn't it? The mere thought of a world where the impossible becomes possible, where spells are cast, and extraordinary adventures unfold, has captivated readers for generations. In the realm of adult fantasy novels, one name stands out – Lev Grossman and his masterpiece, "The Magicians." Today, both Abigail K. Perry, ...
24 Okt 20231h 25min
#112: 5 Questions Your Reader Shouldn't Have To Ask
You need to get readers asking questions to hook them into your story, but you don’t want them asking the wrong questions or being so confused that they stop reading altogether. In this episode, I share 5 questions your readers should never have to ask—here's a preview of what's included: [01:58] Who is this person? [03:35] Where is the scene taking place? [04:50] Who else is in the scene? [06:15] What's the point of this? [07:55] Why should I care? [10:25] Final thoughts and episode recap ...
17 Okt 202312min
#111: Student Spotlight: From Messy First Draft to Publishing His Debut Novel With Edward J. Cembal
In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Edward J. Cembal to talk through what it was like to write, edit, and publish his debut novel, The Monsters In Our Shadows. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [04:00] A quick introduction to Edward J. Cembal (including a timeline of his writing, editing, and publishing journey) as well as a summary of his debut dystopian novel, The Monsters In Our Shadows [09:00] Edward describes what it’s like working with a book coach, an editor, and beta reade...
3 Okt 202333min
#110: Is A Writing Course Really Worth it For Beginners?
In today’s episode, I’m sharing my thoughts on writing courses—including 5 things that make a fiction writing course worth your time and money. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:15] A good writing course should provide you with more than just “tactics and templates.” It should move you beyond just learning and get you into action. [04:45] A good writing course should provide you with a community of like-minded writers who share similar goals and access to a mentor who can support you...
26 Sep 202311min
#109: 5 Common Scene Issues (And How to Fix Them)
In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 of the most common “scene level” issues to look for when editing your draft. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [02:44] Issue #1: The scene isn’t properly structured and it feels flat. [03:59] Issue #2: The POV character doesn’t have enough agency. [05:57] Issue #3: There’s too much extra stuff crowding the scene. [07:50] Issue #4: There’s not enough interiority on the page. [09:35] Issue #5: The POV is inconsistent (aka there's head hopping) [1...
20 Sep 202312min
#108: Why Your Capacity For Zero is Crucial As A Writer
In today’s episode, I’m sharing one of my favorite mindset tips—and it all has to do with your ability (and willingness) to start from scratch. I call it strengthening your capacity for zero. Here’s a preview of what’s included: [01:25] Your capacity for zero describes how willing you are to start over if something you’re outlining or writing doesn’t work. [04:45] What happened when I told one of the writers I work with that she had to start over after writing a 40,000-word first draft [11:...
14 Sep 202313min
