Writer Unleashed

The interpersonal dynamics between characters are an essential part of character and plot development.  Drama involves people who interact with and influence others, and who ultimately change as a  result.  In this episode, I’m going to give you 4 ways to think about your characters' relationships so they’re captivating and memorable. You'll also learn how to introduce multiple character...

 Dialogue is one of the trickiest elements to master.  It’s not a complete rendering of the way humans really speak.   It’s shaped, concise, sharp,  and concentrated. It’s an approximation of real life conversation.  We want it to sound real. But without all the boring, tedious, insignificant  parts. In this episode, learn 5 writing exercises to help you master dialogue . Download your free worksh...

How do you write first drafts? Do you outline first and then write the story following that outline? What if outlining just isn't your jam? In this episode, you'll learn a different approach to writing first drafts . And it doesn't require starting with an outline. We'll generate material first. Outline second.  This method isn't just for first drafts. It works at any stag...

There are many ways these days to earn money writing.  And if you enjoy tinkering with words, these 5 will help you earn cash while giving you the time freedom to devote to your novel, memoir, or story collection.  All while sharpening your skills as a wordsmith. In this episode we'll cover: Copywriting Feature Writing Email Marketing Social Media  Writing Contests Episode Webpage Not sure ho...

We want our readers to feel our character’s pain, their joy, and everything in between. But one of the quickest ways to sever the reader’s emotional connection is to be overly direct about how our character feels. In this encore episode of Writer Unleashed, we’ll break down 4 ways to evoke an emotional response in readers. We'll explore The biology of emotion. How to blast through the reader’...

In this encore episode , we talk about common plot problems that plague first-time novelists, and how to solve or avoid them completely.   You'll explore how to: Define the central problem driving your protagonist; Build and intensify the action; Move your plot logically from one event to the next; Up the ante on what's at stake, and; End your story in a way that's emotionally satis...

An image paints a picture for readers, giving them a sensory experience. Some images are just meant to be descriptive. They're not insignificant. Nothing in story is.  But they don't carry any particular figurative meaning. Not every image needs to be symbolic.  But some images carry more emotional weight. They represent the meaning of your story.  They're woven into the fabric of y...

You've just received your 10th agent rejection. Or the story that's so vivid in you mind just isn't translating onto the page.  Maybe you're stuck in the murky middle and can't see your way out of it.  How do you push through? In this episode, you'll reframe your relationship to failure ,  glean the lessons from setbacks, and ultimately, write a better story.  Episode...

Should you self publish?  Or traditionally publish? In this episode, we'll weigh the pros and cons of both .  So you can make an informed decision on which publishing path is right for you. We'll cover: What  steps to expect as a traditional author How much time it takes to bring a self-published book vs. a traditionally published book Upfront costs self publishers shouldn't ignore...

The mark of a great story is specificity. And to make your writing pop, you want to bring concrete details into the scene. In last week's episode, we talked about setting a scene in a particular place. And each particular place  - whether it's a room, a yard, or an alley -  will have objects. In this episode, we're going to talk about objects to give your story more muscularity and...

In story, setting is an essential yet often under-used element.  Setting allows for the interaction between characters and their environment, weaving together a vivid world.  In this episode, I’ll share 4 ways to bring vivid, multi-dimensional settings to your scenes. We’ll explore how setting influences character development and gives the reader an immersive experience. So that the setting doesn’...

What undermines an otherwise compelling story?  Poorly written scenes. So, how can you write more captivating, impactful and structured scenes? In this episode, you'll learn 5 essential elements that make a scene , along with an example to illustrate.  We'll cover: What a scene is (and what it's not) The difference between scenes and chapters, and why I recommend writing in scenes f...

How do you write dialogue that doesn’t feel artificial, cliche or dull? How do you use dialogue to create character depth, subtlety and originality?  Conversation that’s not over the top dramatic or overly direct, and yet absolutely riveting. In today’s episode, we’ll go over 3 questions to guide you in writing dialogue that has readers hanging on every word. We'll cover: Why using dialogue t...

Paralyzed by uncertainty during the writing process? In this episode, learn why uncertainty is every great writer's secret weapon. You'll learn why uncertainty is vital to the creative process, and how to court, even intensify uncertainty to write your most riveting work. 

How do you give your characters a distinct, unmistakable voice?  What people say and how they say it is a big part of character development. And each character has a unique way of speaking, thinking, and interacting. In this episode, we'll go over 5 ways to bring your characters' voices to life. To make them distinct, magnetic, believable, and memorable. These elements help bring authent...

In this episode, you're going to go beneath the surface of your characters. We'll go 4 levels deep, starting on the surface, and moving a level deeper until we get to your character's truest self. The self he's trying so hard to hide, suppress, and protect.  This will bring multi-dimension, complexity, and believability to your characters. Even if your reader doesn't relat...

What exactly is writer's voice? How do you access yours, and how do you express it on the page? In this episode, I'll give you 4 ways to give your voice more presence and purpose in your stories. We'll talk about: What we mean by writer's voice The difference between character voice and writer's voice Common ways writers struggle with and silence their voice, and  4 tips,...

You’ve just finished the first draft of your novel, memoir or short story, and now you're seeking beta readers. A beta reader is a test reader or a group of test readers of your unpublished work. Ideally, your beta reader gives feedback from the point of view of an average reader.  But how do you go about finding them? What should you look for? What should you avoid?  And what are some tips t...

Now that summer's officially here, and with Writer Unleashed reaching it's 3rd year of being on the airwaves, I've done a retrospective of past episodes. And I've curated 7 of the most popular episodes from the past year - everything from how to express character emotion,  to how to avoid common plot problems, to story structure, to how to approach your craft like a published a...

Description can enrich your story with layers of atmosphere and authenticity that drops the reader inside the world of your story. But sometimes writers assume that in order to create a world for the reader to inhabit, they must pile on loads of details.  You may be writing fantasy, or historical fiction, where the setting is unfamiliar or foreign to the reader.  So, description is necessary. But...

Writers often think they're writing in scene when they're actually writing in summary. So, what is summary? What is scene? And when do you write in one vs. the other?  In this episode, I'll break down the crucial difference between scene and summary.   You'll learn what moments to reserve for scene and how to blend in summary to enhance your story.  Episode Website

How do mothers balance writing with parenthood? Whether you're a mom of young children, or a single parent holding down a full time job and a full brood, carving out space to write can feel challenging, if not impossible. This episode is a love note to mothers.  I'll share my story, along with what I've learned along the way about how to honor the urge to create while being totally...

Whatever stage of the writing process you're in, whether you have a finished first draft, or a work in progress... you may be thinking of hiring an editor. But what does an editor actually do? And at what stage do you hire one? In today's episode, I'm breaking down 3 different types of editors to help you decide what's best for you at whatever stage of development you're a...

What's an inciting incident, and why does your story need one? In this episode, learn what an inciting incident is, and two types that set your story in motion. We’ll also talk about where in your story to place it, and how to craft your inciting incident to hook your reader. Episode Website

Present tense or past tense? How do you decide? What are the advantages of present tense, and when is past tense a better option? In this episode, I’m going to explore the pros and cons of present tense. We'll explore techniques that are much easier to achieve  with past tense. And if the present is your tense of choice, I'll outline 4 limitations to be aware of, so you can overcome them...