#32: Five Ways to Avoid the Stock Villain
How do you avoid writing the stock villain? How do you move beyond the cliche to create a bad guy that surprises us? That goes against the status quo? On today’s episode of Writer Unleashed, we’ll explore 5 ways to create a villain that defies stereotype. We'll discuss: What readers really want from your villainHow to explore what's underneath your character's bad actsBetter questions to get under your villain's skinHow to tap into your own impulses to write more nuanced and bel...
20 Jan 202112min
#31: What Most Writers Get Wrong About Point of View
Of all the things I see tripping writers up, point of view is the most common and persistent. It's one of the most misunderstood elements of writing. It's also one of the most essential things to get right. On today’s episode of Writer Unleashed, we’ll explore: 3 common missteps writers make about point of viewWhat point of view is…and what it isn’t. Why first, second, and third-person has virtually nothing to do with point of view. When to use multiple points of view. An...
13 Jan 202115min
#30: How to Stop Dreaming and Write for Real in 2021
97% of writers never finish their book. And out of that 3% who do finish their books, only 1 to 2 percent of them ever publish. On today’s episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll break down some of the most common barriers to bringing your story to the finish line, and how to use brain science to become part of that 3% who finishes the book. 2021, here we come. We'll explore: Why talent isn't enough and the mindset you must cultivate insteadThe power of community to inspire and...
6 Jan 202120min
#29: How to Re-Ignite Your Motivation to Write
Some days you're on fire. Other days, you feel like a dried up spec of dust. With no soul. You’ve lost motivation and may even have stopped writing altogether. So how do you get your mojo back so you can bring your work in progress to the finish line? On today's episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll explore 5 reasons our motivation fizzles out and how to turn it around. We'll talk about: the power of having a safe, judgement-free community what social scientists have discovered ...
30 Dec 202022min
#28: You Already Know How to Write Atmosphere
How do we create atmosphere in story in a way that evokes mood, and simultaneously reveals the inner life of your character? Well, you already know how to do this. On today’s episode of Writer Unleashed, we’ll talk about what you instinctively know about creating mood and atmosphere, and how to use your instincts to create it on the page. And we’re going to do a writing exercise at the end of the episode, so have your pen and paper handy. Not sure if your idea has wh...
23 Dec 202016min
#27: Writer Rejected: How to Bounce Back Fast
You’ve spent months, maybe years writing your story. So you finally get the courage to send it out into the world - to an agent, a literary magazine, a publisher, or your writer’s group. And then you get a form rejection letter (the worst kind), or feedback from your peers that makes you want to give up the writing life altogether. How do you bounce back? On today’s episode of Writer Unleashed, I’ll share 3 tips on re-framing rejection so that you can get back in the saddl...
16 Dec 202013min
#26: Writing About Someone You Know - Is Your Story Worth It?
You can change a character's hair color, geography, age, or gender, but often what inhibits our voice is a concern that we'll offend someone we know. A parent. A sibling. A school mate. So, what do we do? We whitewash the truth. Or we avoid writing our story altogether. On today's episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll explore: 3 reasons you need to tell your storyWhy secrets need to be unloadedThe power of compassion for yourself and yes, even for your oppressorsH...
9 Dec 202016min
#25: Why Your Voice Matters
Your voice is your most fundamental creative asset. But how do you access it? How do you let it flourish on the page? On today’s episode of Writer Unleashed, we’ll explore why your voice matters to you --and to your readers. I’ll also give you a writing prompt to invite your voice to come out and play... so have your pen and paper ready. On today's episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll explore: Why craft is useless without voiceHow to avoid a dull, mid-level voice Why your resistanc...
2 Dec 202016min
