Amie Kaufman On Writing

We're back after a long break with a new episode -- maybe the most useful one yet -- and an update on future plans. If you want to stay in the loop re future opportunities to learn from Amie, make sure you're on the mailing list, which you can join at amiekaufman.substack.com

We'll be back in a couple of months with the second half of Season 4, and in the meantime, I have a couple of fantastic bonus episodes for you. When I got a question about how to turn a character idea into a story idea, I knew Lili was the person to answer it. Listeners, you can find Lili on Instagram at @liliwilkinson, or online at her website, where you can learn more about her new book, A Hunge...

We'll be back in a couple of months with the second half of Season 4, and in the meantime, I have a couple of fantastic bonus episodes for you. First up, we're going to hear from James Sutter. James is the co-creator of the Pathfinder and Starfinder roleplaying games—if you're not a tabletop gamer, they're similar to games like D&D. He's also an author, and his latest novel, Darkhearts, came out o...

Creating a magic system that really works takes effort. Every time you think you've got it working, someone points out some what-if hypothetical, and you're back to the drawing board, trying to plug more leaks in your logic bucket. When it does work, though – well, all of us have been swept away at one point or another by the feeling we're truly in another world, and a story full of magic you can...

I started writing an episode to answer a question about worldbuilding and research—and then I realised that I already have the perfect resource for you. All of you know by now that my lovely producer Kate is also Kate J. Armstrong, author of Nightbirds , a brilliant book about girls who can gift magic to you with a kiss. Kate and I host the Pub Dates podcast , where we take listeners behind the sc...

The way a character narrating a book—or even just a character whose point of view we share—is going to describe someone they see every day is going to be really different to the way they describe a newcomer. Let's break down some of techniques you can use to describe a familiar character in a way that serves the story and feel true to the person describing them. If you're listening to this in real...

I LOVE maps: I think they really add something to a world—when done well, everything from the style in which the map is drawn, to what's included can contribute to the story. Today I'm going to give you my three best tips for creating one for your story. I have a new book out in a week! The Isles of the Gods is a fantasy novel set on the high seas, full of magic, romance, slumbering gods, gangster...

All my books are romances. I love them: the yearning, the will-they-won't-they, and sometimes just the how-on-earth-can-they of it. Whether it's a tortured, star-crossed love affair or a cosy romance set somewhere sweet, I'm here for it. Today I'm going to give you three tips I keep in mind when writing my own romances. I have a new book out in just a couple of weeks!  The Isles of the Gods is a f...

When I got a question about writing apocalyptic worlds, I knew that London should be the one to answer it. She has so much wisdom on this subject to share. Find out more about London at her website . You will find a transcript of this episode on my website , which is also where you can sign up for my new newsletter and find out about my other podcast, Pub Dates , which is taking you behind the sce...

When I recieved a question on how to create a compelling cast of characters, I knew M.K. England was the person to answer it. M.K. is a pro at building a dynamic ensemble cast, and this episode is jam-packed with their practical advice on how to make sure your cast of characters are all distinct, unique, and play well off each other. Find out more about M.K. at their website . You will find a tran...

I get a  lot of questions about co-authoring, and so I'm dedicating the last three episodes of the season to answering them. This week's question is by far the most frequently asked question I get about co-authoring. What to do when you and your co-author disagree?  You can find a transcript of this episode on my website.  You can also sign up for my newsletter there, which is full of information...

I get a  lot of questions about co-authoring, and so I'm dedicating the last three episodes of the season to answering them. If you missed last week's episode, it was about the practicalities of preparing to co-author a book. This week, I'm talking about the writing itself. A transcript of this episode is available on my website.  You can sign up for my newsletter there, which is full of informati...

The most frequent questions I get are about how co-authoring works. So I'm going to devote the last three episodes of this season to co-authoring, answering one question each week. This episode kicks us off with some advice on how to set up a co-authoring relationship for success from the outset. A transcript of this episode is available on my website.  You can sign up for my newsletter there, whi...

My books are famously huge, so I am very intimate with this issue! A long word count isn't necessarily a bad thing, but if it feels like your book is long because the story has gotten away from you, I offer four tips for what you can do about it.  A transcript of this episode is available on my website.  You can sign up for my newsletter there, which is full of information about upcoming releases...

When you come to a story, you might have a very basic idea of who a character will be. But how do you go about building those characters, making them feel real and engaging, so the reader cares what happens to them? A transcript of this episode is available on my website.  You can sign up for my newsletter there, which is full of information about upcoming releases and events, and my new podcast,...

Let's talk about point of view. What's the difference between first and third person, and how does a novel change depending on which you choose?  A transcript of this episode is available on my website , as well as info about my books and how to sign up for my newsletter. That's also where you can find out more about my new podcast, Pub Dates , which will take you behind the scenes on my upcoming...

This week, I am giving you a quick tour through the basics of the three act structure: what it is, why it matters, and why you might want to keep it in mind when crafting your story. A transcript of this episode is available on my website , as well as info about my books and how to sign up for my newsletter. That's also where you can find out more about my new podcast, Pub Dates , which will take...

If you want, or even need, to write, but you're having trouble finding the time, this one's for you. This is a guide for busy people that I hope will help you carve out that time while encouraging you to rest when you need it. You will find the transcript for this episode on my website , as well as info about my books and a place to sign up for my newsletter. That's also where you can find out abo...

You might find you're immediately inclined to lay out your story before you begin, or you might be showing up to give it a try because your writing stalled out. Either way, there are lots of good options, so let's get into them. You'll find the transcript for this episode on my website , as well as information about my books and access to my newsletter. That's also where you can find out about my...

Welcome to Season 3! To kick us off we have a question about plotters and pantsers. We often say that writers fall on a continuum from plotter at one end, all the way to pantser at the other. What do these terms actually mean and which approach works best? You can find a transcript of this episode  at my website , where you can also subscribe to my newsletter, get behind-the-scenes peeks at how I...

I am thrilled to announce the new podcast I'm making with my friend, and this show's producer, Kate Armstrong. Come behind the scenes on the making of our books, The Isles of the Gods and Nightbirds , which are coming out in 2023. This is your backstage pass to our characters, our worlds, and all the stories of their making.

Abby Ranger is a brilliant editor. Over the years, she's worked at HarperCollins, Disney-Hyperion, and Scholastic, with a who's who of authors. In fact, she was my editor on my first book, These Broken Stars. She's smart, insightful, and she doesn't just make your current book better - she teaches you to make all of your future books better too. In this episode, she's going to share tips for setti...

When I asked you all who you'd like a guest episode from in our break between seasons, today's guest was a very popular answer. I think Jay's sense of storytelling is incredible, and when I saw today's question in the mailbag about what makes for a satisfying ending, I knew I wanted you to hear from him. You can find Jay on Twitter or on Instagram at @misterkristoff or at his website. If you loved...

You can find a transcript of this episode  at my website , where you can also subscribe to my newsletter, get behind-the-scenes peeks at how I write, and any other news about new books, events or the podcast. You can also submit a question for the podcast on my website. You can find me on Twitter or Instagram . 

You can find a transcript of this episode  at my website , where you can also subscribe to my newsletter, get behind-the-scenes peeks at how I write, and any other news about new books, events or the podcast. You can also submit a question for the podcast on my website. You can find me on Twitter or Instagram .