#20: Four Ways Your Writing Group is Holding You Back (and What To Look For In Your Next Writing Tribe)

You have captivating characters, a page-turning plot, gorgeous imagery. But as soon as your characters start speaking, does your story falls flat? Here's the thing. You already know how to write crisp, compelling dialogue. On today's episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll explore 5 things to pay attention to in the conversations around you. This is all instruction for your story dialogue. We'll cover: Common mistakes writers make when writing dialogueSubtextMisdirectionCross purposesNon-verb...

25 Nov 202020min

What's the number 1 mindset that separates great writers from the novice? A willingness to embrace uncertainty. And to not only embrace it but to create, cultivate and dance with it. On today's episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll explore: How avoiding uncertainty is straitjacketing your writingWhy beneath chaos lies order and harmonyThe difference between convergent and divergent thinkingHow to use contradiction to hook readersHow to collaborate with your uncert...

18 Nov 202017min

How do we create characters readers believe in? How do we write beyond stereotype? On today’s episode of Writer Unleashed, we’ll explore 3 ways to create multi-dimensional characters. We'll explore: Plot-driven versus character-driven stories.The difference between empathy and sympathy.What really drives a reader's connection to your character.How to tap into your own impulses to create characters who breathe on the page. Want to create multi-dimensional charac...

11 Nov 202012min

How do we craft an ending that lands with the reader? How do we avoid what author David Jauss calls "the literary equivalent of a faked orgasm?" On today's episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll explore 5 ways to avoid an ending that's too tidy, predictable, or lame. We'll talk about: Interesting character change over timeWhy a change in your reader is more important than character changeThe relationship between your story's beginning and endingWhy the strongest endings are not inven...

4 Nov 202018min

Or should I just wing it, flying blind? I get this question a LOT. And while there 's no one-size-fits all approach to the creative process, the outline first approach can stifle most writers and gridlock their stories. So why the urge to outline? An outline is safe. Knowable. Certain. Having that road map should produce our best stories, then, right? Well, not exactly. On today's episode of Writer Unleashed, learn why not knowing where your story's going can produce your strongest, mos...

21 Okt 202013min

Inspiration is a mysterious, mercurial force. Sometimes it shows up, sometimes it doesn’t. But what if we could summon inspiration at will? If each time we sat down to write, we could reach that magic zone where the words flowed freely onto the page? What if there were some particular rituals, or triggers to that special consciousness that guaranteed an unstoppable, no-holds-barred writing session? On today’s episode of Writer Unleashed, we’ll explore: How to summon your inner muse.Why relax...

14 Okt 202014min

How do you nudge your way into a story? How do you generate ideas? Do you start with a childhood memory? A vintage photograph? An overheard conversation? We all have our own way in. And our creative processes are as singular as fingerprints. On today’s episode of Writer Unleashed, we’ll explore 4 steps so you can generate story ideas on tap. You'll learn: The art of scratching for a small idea first.How to capture stray ideas.How to recycle and transform your ideas. Why the early stage...

7 Okt 202013min