John Helps You Write Better

Why Pantsing is Bad, part 1 02.12.2024 9:19 ↓

In today's episode, I want to talk to you about why pantsing is ruining your writing.

You should be reading critically 27.11.2024 12:31 ↓

In today's episode, I want to explain what people mean when they say you should read more.

At and To and With 26.11.2024 12:21 ↓

In today's episode, let's talk about how we talk to or at or with our readers.

"New" and "experienced" are labels that don't matter 25.11.2024 8:43 ↓

In today's episode, I want to explain how two labels so many writers use don't actually matter.

Can you connect with someone else? 20.11.2024 12:05 ↓

In today's episode, I want to talk to you about abandoning the right/wrong dynamic.

The audio-only re-do of the Writers Chat for 11-19 19.11.2024 1:03:14 ↓

In this re-do of a crashed stream, I answer questions about the state of the world, webnovels as pulps, cozy mysteries, grammar, and two brothers. Lots of good stuff here.

How's that voice going? 19.11.2024 10:40 ↓

In today's episode, I want to talk to you about your voice and how you can be using it do to what you want.

Are you asking questions in your exposition? 18.11.2024 8:08 ↓

In today's episode I want to talk to you about those times where you're asking the reader questions directly in the text.

11-12-24 Writers Chat 12.11.2024 1:20:13 ↓

In this week's Writers Chat, I answer questions about insecurity, editors, prologues, conversations, payment plans, and genres.

How familiar are you with your genre? 12.11.2024 13:38 ↓

In today's episode, I want to talk to you about genre and conventions.

You don't have to reinvent the wheel 11.11.2024 10:31 ↓

In today's episode, I want to talk to you about not trying so hard to do something "new" in your writing.

We all face stairs. 05.11.2024 15:38 ↓

In today's episode, I want to talk to you about my mom and some stairs.

Some disjointed thoughts on art and no one seeing it 04.11.2024 14:10 ↓

In today's episode, I want to talk to you about what happens if you paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling in your garage.

Don't forget to connect to your reader 31.10.2024 15:50 ↓

In today's episode I want to talk to you about your reader and the bridge you're trying to build to them.

What kind of backstory are you writing? 30.10.2024 12:30 ↓

In today's episode I want to talk to you about the backstory you're using.

What kind of outline are you using? 29.10.2024 10:55 ↓

In today's episode, I want to talk to you about your outline. Which kind are you using? Did you know about the other kind?

Your character operates with logic 28.10.2024 10:38 ↓

In today's episode, I want to talk to you about how your character is doing whatever they're doing.

Some options for the symphony of your opening 24.10.2024 11:54 ↓

In today's episode, I want to give you a few more options for opening your narrative that aren't dialogue.

Are you really sure about opening your work with dialogue? 23.10.2024 8:58 ↓

In today's episode I want to talk to you about that opening line your character says at the start of your story. Are you sure you want to do that?

I still don't want you worrying about pacing. 22.10.2024 17:15 ↓

In today's episode, I have more things to say about pacing. Stop worrying about it.

What you need to know about tension and release 21.10.2024 15:28 ↓

In today's episode, I want talk to you about how to manipulate tension and do something with it, no matter what you're writing.

The return of the Writers Chat 10-17 17.10.2024 1:25:56 ↓

The Writers Chat emerges from its long slumber to be your spot to get answers to all your creating, writing, editing, and publishing questions. In this chat, I talk about the value of art, why NCIS Origins doesn't work, why flashbacks can be boring, and how much procrastinating is "just right"

You should put some good out into the world. 17.10.2024 11:10 ↓

In today's episode, I want to talk to you about the power your words have.

No, I don't want you to worry about pacing. 16.10.2024 13:59 ↓

In today's episode, I want to talk to you about your pacing and why it may not be the issue you're swearing that it is.

Big and little character goals 15.10.2024 12:54 ↓

In today's episode, I want to talk to you about the goals your character may have.