#168: 3 Simple Techniques To Turn Good Writing Into Great

There comes a time when the story we're writing just isn't coming together as we envisioned. Writing's become too overwhelming and complicated. So, we're tempted to quit. Quit the story. Or quit writing altogether. But just because you're coming up against obstacles and setbacks, even if they feel insurmountable, that's no reason to quit. In fact, that's the worst time to quit. In this episode, we'll talk about what to do when you hit what Seth Godin calls, the dip. ...

30 Aug 202218min

As summer begins its exit, and Fall approaches, I curated 5 episodes to refresh your writing. These are some of the most downloaded episodes. You'll get everything from plot and character development, show vs. tell, how to select story details, and how to stay motivated. Think of this as your end of summer playlist. Here you go: Episode 37: Three Questions to Ask Before You Plot Your Story Episode 22: Three Ways to Avoid Character Stereotype Episode 81: Story Details: What to Leave In,...

23 Aug 202215min

What's the difference between biography, autobiography, memoir, the immersion story, and personal essay? In this episode, you'll learn about the possibilities available to you in the creative non-fiction genre. You'll get clear on what makes these forms alike and different, and what elements you need to be aware of when writing one or the other. You'll learn: The similarities between creative non-fiction and fiction;The difference between autobiog...

16 Aug 202222min

How do you write the bad guy? The villain. The antagonist. The one who makes life difficult for your protagonist? How do you make this person believable and fascinating? Not just a stock cartoon character nobody believes in or cares about? One of the biggest pitfalls when writing villains -- aka, antagonists -- is over simplifying them. But your most troublesome character is just as important to develop as your protagonist. So you've got to get to know him or her as intimately as you know you...

9 Aug 202228min

Want to bring your manuscript closer to published, but don't want to drop thousands to hire an editor? In this episode, you'll learn to edit your story yourself. You'll get answers to common questions like: Do I edit as I go? Or do I edit after the manuscript is done? How do I edit for coherence and continuity? Where do I begin? In this episode, I’m going to give you a 4-step strategy for self-editing your story. We’re going step by step. From the big picture all t...

2 Aug 202228min

Ever feel like no matter how much time you spend on your plot, your story’s just not coming together? Maybe you're generally happy with your structure, but when you go to break down those story beats, all you find are a lot of plot holes. And now you’re overthinking everything, wondering how your characters and scenes work within your plot. In this episode I’m sharing 5 common plot problems and what you can do to fix them, or avoid them completely. This will help you know wha...

26 Juli 202224min

If I asked you what your story was about, could you sum it up in a few sentences and tell me all I need to know to want more? Maybe you have too many ideas swimming around your head, and your story is running away from you. Either way, you have a hazy, rambling idea about what your story is all about. That's every story in its early stages. So, in this episode, I want to invite you to do a little exercise in nailing down your story idea in 3 sentences. You'll zero in on: Who your st...

19 Juli 202221min

What does an editor do precisely? How do you choose an editor you can trust with your manuscript? How much do editors charge? And is hiring one worth the investment? In this episode, I'm answering the most frequently asked questions I get about editors. I'll demystify the editing process. So you can make an informed, prudent decision on whether to invest in an editor or not. And you'll get an inside view on how to edit your own work. We'll cover: The 3 phases...

12 Juli 202231min