#48: Does Your Story Need An Antagonist?
Does your story need an antagonist? The short answer is yes. But to avoid the formulaic good vs. bad story, there are deeper questions to unwrap. In today's episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll explore: Why the standard definition of antagonist may be limiting your storyThe 2 most important questions to ask when developing antagonistsWhat we mean by conflictA more nuanced and compelling approach to creating antagonists. Want to go deeper into the soul of your character and defy stereo...
12 Maj 202111min
#47: Even Minor Characters Play a Major Role
Every character you include, no matter how minor, or however brief their appearance, must serve the story you're telling. Nobody should be in a scene for mere decoration or as a prop. There are no minor characters. Every character in your story needs to be made use of or let go of. In today’s episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll talk about how to craft minor characters who have a major impact. And I’ll give you some examples to drive it all home. While you're here, d...
5 Maj 202112min
#46: What's the Theme of Your Story? And Why Does It Matter?
What is theme? And why does it matter to your story? In today’s episode of Writer Unleashed, we’ll talk about what theme is, what it isn’t, and how to arrive at yours. We'll explore: The common definition of theme that's keeping your story on the surfaceHow to avoid off-the-rack themes that have no impact on readersHow to create a useful thematic statement that focuses and unifies your storyThe best way to arrive at your story's themeTo help you explore your ...
28 Apr 202113min
#45: How to Hook Readers in Your First Sentence
If your first sentence is a dud, chances are readers won't give you a second chance. In today's episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll explore 5 elements that will hook your readers from the get-go and keep them wanting more. We'll peek under the hood of some great hook sentences from the masters, and unpack what makes each one irresistible. We'll explore how to: Withhold to create suspenseRaise expectations and curiosityJuxtapose details to create tensionSet your story in motion And to...
21 Apr 202116min
#44: How to Fix a Broken Plot
Is your plot broken? First, what is a broken plot? It's when you start out with one conflict but lose confidence in your ability to move that conflict forward through a series of actions. So you shift to another conflict or even a third. And pretty soon, readers are disoriented because they don't know where to focus. That's because there's more than one story happening. In today's episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll explore: The 3 things you need to get clear on to fix or avoi...
14 Apr 202112min
#43: Five Ways to Transform Real People into Fascinating Fictional Characters
Just because you're basing characters on real people doesn't make them believable or interesting. It's far more important for your story to work than it is for it to be true. And even when people are portrayed realistically, they still might read as stereotypes. In today's episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll go over 5 techniques to transform real people into fascinating characters who stay with the reader long after the story ends. We'll explore: How to imagine your way into what ...
7 Apr 202121min
#42: What Kind of Writer Are You?
Are you a memoir writer? Or a fiction writer? A novelist? Or short story writer? Lots of people have a story to tell. But some are still flying blind after years, even decades of trying to nail down their story and elevate it to a publishable caliber. If that sounds like you, you may be focusing on the content of your story rather than its form. And form drives content. On today's episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll explore: The difference between writing a novel, memoi...
31 Mars 202121min
#41: The Struggle Most Writers Never Talk About
In the theater of our mind, our story is a multi-dimensional, techno-color, high-def world teeming with life. But inevitably, in our early attempts to transfer that vision onto the page, that world disintegrates. It’s where a lot of writers get lost. Or stop writing altogether. In today's episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll explore how writers like Ann Patchett and Ta-Nehisi Coates get past this very struggle. We'll explore: Why there's no such thing as failure (unless you stop writing...
24 Mars 202123min
