Pen2Plot Podcast

K.J. Here! I recently tried Stephen King's writing routine to see if I could break through my writer's block and get inspired, here's what worked, what didn't, and my experience overall. In this episode, KJ dives into... 🚨Who Stephen King is and why his routine matters 📢 How treating our writing practice like working out helps productivity and creativity ✍️ Why putting an emphasis on physical we...

2025 has been a pretty confusing year for storytellers, considering A.I. advancements in the creative space, leaving many people asking themselves, "Does my story matter anymore?...should I even bother?" In this episode, KJ dives into... 🚨Why now is the best time to start/complete your work! 📢 How writing your novel is an act of rebellion! ✍️ Overcoming creative guilt and how to take ownership o...

"So, what's your book about?" Most writers have a love/hate relationship with this question. In this episode, KJ offers practical examples for whipping up an elevator-pitch-style summary of any story…in only two sentences. In this episode, KJ dives into... 🪝 The hook, retention, reward method of developing an engaging summary ✍️ What key descriptive elements to include/exclude to create maximum i...

Are your characters starting to sound a lot like you, but with different masks? Here's how to use Meisner Acting Techniques —emotional prep, moment-to-moment, and strong objectives — to write characters that feel real and unique! In this episode, KJ dives into... 🧠 Actors' methods to avoid flat characters using character development principles derived from acting techniques 📚 Why only relevant b...

🎉 Think you’re too old (or too late) to start writing? You’re not alone, but 2025 might just be the perfect year to begin your creative journey. In this episode, K.J. and Chelsey chat all about: ✍️ Why now is the best time in history to become a writer and bypass the gatekeepers! 📱 How new tools and platforms have evolved to put more power than ever in creatives' hands. 💭 Reflecting on our pers...

🤖 Tempted to use AI in your story development? Plenty of writers are wondering about its current uses and if there is any ethical way to integrate it into our writing journey...or is it better to just boycott the tech altogether? In this episode, KJ dives into... 🧠 The ethics of using AI in the creative process. Even if it's just to outline, brainstorm, or edit. 📚 Why this topic is so divisive...

😥 Haven’t written in a while? Feeling like a "fake" writer? Trust me, you’re not alone! Life can throw off our creative flow, and getting back into writing can feel like a major challenge. In this episode, we dive into: ✍️ What makes someone a "REAL" writer 😵‍💫 Overcoming imposter syndrome after a long writing break ✨How to reignite your inspiration and get back into your creative flow ✅ PLUS...

💭✨ "What’s your Plan B when the dream doesn’t work out?" If you’re tired of being asked that question, you’re not alone. Good news: there is a smarter way to build a backup plan—one that doesn’t toss your creative goals in the trash. In this episode, KJ shares… 🧠 Why choosing to invest huge amounts of time in a "safer" path can sabotage our creative momentum. 📅 How reframing "Plan B" as a stra...

💭✨ Giving up on the dream of being a storyteller? It might just be the best thing you can do for your creative life. In this episode, KJ shares… 🧠 Why letting go of the fantasy of our creative dreams can actually bring more clarity, focus, and creative joy. 📅 How shifting from dreaming to planning has changed everything—from writing a novel and growing Pen2Plot to building a sustainable creati...

🍾🙌 Our first-ever guest episode! We’re joined by award-winning author and director Kevin Weir for a deep dive into his dark sci-fi fantasy adventures. In this episode, we're sharing… 🎙️ Our first-ever podcast guest is the award-winning, genre-blending author and director Kevin Weir! Kevin joins us for an epic creative deep dive to chat all about his work in dark sci-fi fantasy. 📚 How Kevin deci...

🌿 Dreaming of a full-time creative life but feeling out of reach? What if building your dream career as a writer was more possible than you think? In this episode, we're sharing… 🎙️ Big news: Pen2Plot is expanding into Pen2Plot Productions — a media company offering audiobook services, book marketing, and social media management for authors 📚 Podcast updates: We're back on a regular schedule thi...

😩 Ever felt like your writing goals were too big to achieve? What if the process of failing forward could transform your approach to success? In this episode, we’re diving into... ✍️ The lessons learned from a failed writing challenge (and how it changed how I approach goal-setting forever) 🚀 Why aiming for high word count might not always be the best strategy 🔥 The key steps to creating a goal...

🎄 Struggling to find time to write during the holidays? Is writing even worth it during the hustle and bustle? In this festive episode, we’re chatting about... 🎅 How to make a writing plan that works, even during the busiest time of year ⏱️ Tips and tricks to sneak in writing time between all the holiday chaos 🎁 Finding unexpected inspiration—even if you’re not a fan of the holiday season ✅ PL...

😩 Ever feel like giving up because you don’t think you’re talented enough? What if it turns out that talent might not matter at all when it comes to achieving your storytelling dreams? In this episode, we’re diving into... 🌟 What talent really is (and why it’s often misunderstood) 🧠 Whether talent is necessary to become a successful writer/artist 🔥 The key actions that consistently outshine "n...

😩 Struggling to fit writing into your jam-packed schedule or wondering if building a social media presence is even worth it for writers? In this episode, we’re diving into... 🌻 How to make time for meaningful writing sessions 📈 To hype or not to hype? Sharing your work before it’s done ⚡ Picking the best social platforms for writers (without the overwhelm!) ❤️ And some game-changing tips to ma...

🖤 Ready for a haunting tale? Today we're sharing a bone-chilling cryptid story,  I’ve Known the Rare Fauna,  written by co-host (yours truly) K.J. Herman. Join me as we venture into the haunting mountains of the Kootenays, where ancient creatures roam and survival teeters on a knife's edge... In this storytime episode, we dive into: 🌲 An isolated cabin deep in the wild 🌌 Forgotten cre...

😫Navigating writer's block? Or maybe you're looking for new ways to make your writing routine more efficient. In this episode, we chat all about... 💪Consistency and perseverance 📈Putting progress into perspective ⚡How to 3x our writing speed ❤️Plus, what we can learn from established and indie authors on how to craft a bulletproof writing routine! ⭐Quick question for you... "What's been your...

🫢Are you worried that it's too late to start a career in writing? Or maybe you’ve been told you’re "too old" to chase your passion? In this episode, we chat all about... 🌱Starting later in life to pursue creative writing 😊Cultivating a proactive mindset 💭Inspiring quotes and author fun facts! ❤️Plus, revelations on the writer's journey and why pursuing our passions is essential! ⭐Quick questi...

🥳We're taking a creative break this episode with a birthday celebration! In this episode, we chat all about... 🤩Chance meetings with celebrities 🫢Scandalous Madlibs 🗣️Testing out our grammar skills ✍️Plus other creativity-boosting shenanigans! ⭐Try out this madlib generator!👇 https://www.wordblanks.com/mad-libs/adult/?p=18 💙Watch HARAM at the Philly Fringe Festival 👉🏻https://phillyfringe.o...

🫢Have you ever got a review so bad you almost gave up on writing altogether? Or how about advice that nearly sabotaged your story? In this episode, we chat all about... 🧌Dealing with internet trolls 🤬Grammar nazis 🤯Plus other hilariously bad pieces of writing advice that nearly sabotaged our writing careers 🪴And how we learned to cipher through the BS to actually grow in our writing journies....

Dealing with anxiety? Afraid your story isn't worth telling? Never feel like you're good enough? US TOO! Here's how we've managed to redirect our anxious energy to work for us instead of against us. In this episode, we chat all about... 📝Grounding techniques and our experiences with mental health ✨Journaling as therapy and morning pages 🎭How anxious thinking has impacted our work 💃🏻 Secrets o...

From screen to stage! In this episode, we talk all about how we turned Zoom meetings into a hit theatre production 🎭 📝We discuss Chelsey’s scriptwriting process ✨How she tackles complex themes while staying true to the characters 🎭Reflect on how remote collaboration transformed our rehearsal process 💃🏻Discuss how our writer-actor dynamic brought the story to life ✍️And how this method can el...

In this episode, we're sharing our favorite resources for maximizing creativity. We dive into essays from our writing heroes, discuss how to integrate their creative ideologies into our routines, and offer actionable takeaways to help you get started. Plus, stay tuned until the end for an exclusive writing challenge and a look at our latest collaborative works. 🩷SUPPORT THE PEN2PLOT PODCAST: http...

✍🏻We write when inspiration strikes but what if the elusive muse never shows?🤔 In this episode, we discuss how we find emotional connectivity in our writing and the techniques we’ve discovered to help us get there no matter what. 😍We chat about what key factors get readers emotionally invested in a story 😉Debate whether or not you need to be “in the mood” to write meaningful work 🫢And reflect...

In this episode, we discuss perfectionism and the mind games we play to convince ourselves not to move on with our story. We chat all about our experience with analysis paralysis, how having an accountabilibuddies and joining communities saved our writing, how we identify the signs of a dead project and knowing when to move on. ❤️SUPPORT THE PEN2PLOT PODCAST: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=136636....