How to be an Author

In this episode of the How to be an Author podcast, writing coach Karena Akhavein explores the essential ingredients that make a novel gripping and unforgettable - conflict, tension, and emotion. We'll delve into how writers can use these elements to create dynamic characters, engaging plotlines, and intense scenes that keep readers on the edge of their seats. We'll also discuss common mistakes au...

What is the inciting incident that takes creative people from amateur to professional, or from aspiring writer to successful author? For writing coach Karena Akhavein, it was launching and running a retail store- home and fashion accessories, if you must know, and ultimately "failing" at it and becoming a successful professional writer and a happy writing coach. In this entertaining episode of the...

Are you a writer who's struggling to pick a single book idea to focus on? In this episode, we provide practical tips and strategies for selecting the right book idea that will help you achieve your writing goals. Your writing coach, Karena Akhavein, shares her experiences and insights on how to identify your strengths, interests, and audience, and how to use them to select a book idea that resonat...

Many authors are afraid of marketing their books, viewing it as a daunting and uncomfortable task. But fear not! Your PhD writing coach, Karena Akhavein, will share valuable strategies on how to overcome this fear and approach marketing with confidence. We'll discuss the importance of mindset and how it can impact the success of your marketing efforts. You'll learn how to shift your mindset to vie...

Is Chat GPT going to make writers extinct and take content creator's jobs? Not to worry: as an AI language model, ChatGPT can be a valuable tool for writers and authors to improve their craft, but there is no need for them to worry about being replaced by the technology. In this How to be an Author podcast episode, your host, writing coach Karena Akhavein, discusses how ChatGPT can be used to assi...

In a novel, a good plot is about obstacles. But as a writer, you know that there are obstacles to writing, too. As authors go through the writing process, or as they go about building a writing career, there are a host of things can freeze them in their tracks. One of the big obstacles is anxiety. Anxiety is not a disorder. It's not a disease. But it is a big mindset and mental health issue that a...

Discover the secrets of crafting dynamic, multidimensional characters that leap off the page. Join writing coach Karena Akhavein for an in-depth exploration of character development. We'll share expert tips on creating compelling backstories, exploring complex motivations, and avoiding common pitfalls. Get ready to unlock the full potential of your characters and take your writing to the next leve...

Yes, writers are artists. They are creatives. They are idea people.  But without a concrete expression of that creativity, without measurable successes, such as published books and articles, an author platform, or increasing readership, creativity withers and dies. Many of us go through a long period of continuously revving our creative engines. We go through the same motions without truly seeing...

Dark Academia...Preppy... Cottage Core... If you spend any time on Booktok, you may have noticed that there is a lot of talk of character aesthetics, as well as an aesthetic in general, which seem to have supplanted genre. That, and in certain genres, tropes such as #friendstolovers or #forcedproximity, are how readers are deciding which book to read next. You've also probably heard that the highe...

Obsession: It's more than just mild curiosity, or interest, or a goal. Digging down deep into the idea of obsession is the key to knowing what to write about, and how to write it. It's what can give your novel a strong plot that moves forward inexorably with fantastic pacing and high stakes and suspense. It's what can make your book's characters nuanced and relatable. It's what can give a unique d...

If you're just starting your writing career, there are several steps you can and should take to get started, on the most solid foundation possible. Writing coach Karena Akhavein speaks with many writers at all stages of their journeys and she has learned quite. alot from both their regrets, and from the things they tried to turn their writing careers around. In this episode of the How to be an Aut...

As a writing coach focusing on a holistic approach, Karena Akhavein, PhD, has spent years talking to writers in various stages of their careers about the things that help them, and the things that hurt them.   In today's episode we'll start talking about identity: how it shapes your writing career in multiple surprising ways. Next, we'll talk about a crucial part of one of Karena's biggest writing...

Throughout history, certain writers have faced public backlash, some of it well deserved. Today, easy access to social media means that anyone can broadcast their criticism of any public figure, and that commentary can go viral, often destroying or at the very least negatively impacting that person's reputation. Being an author means subjecting yourself to public exposure and critiques. Writing an...

Authors often feel that using a pen name, also known as a pseudonym or a nom de plume, has some advantages.   While it's true that using a pen name can offer a writer added privacy and distance from their book and possibly facilitate branding, there are some potential drawbacks that need to be examined before you take the leap. In this episode of the How to be an Author podcast, writing coach Kare...

For any professional, especially creative professionals, especially writers, taking a break can be crucial. Taking a break from your writing, from your book, or from your author platform tasks can feel like the key to avoiding burnout, but starting up again after a break is not so easy. Just like taking a break from the gym and trying to start up again, ramping up again with your writing can be pa...

Many newer writers have dreamed of writing a novel for a long time, but they find that they really struggle with not only starting with writing a book, but also following through until publication and beyond. The process of writing a novel is daunting. It can be intimidating to understand all the principles of storytelling, to go from idea to plot, and to keep going through beta reader revisions,...

Being an author can be overwhelming. Writing is a huge job. It's not just about jotting down a few words. It's about writing book after book, editing your written work, promoting your novel, creating content, fostering mailing lists, growing your author platform, keeping up to date on publishing trends, and that is on top of every other obligation we have in our lives, and keeping our writer minds...

The title of your book really does matter.   Books are often sold by word of mouth so the title is literally the first thing that gives a potential reader an opinion of your book. When someone sees your book on Amazon or in a bookstore, the combination of cover and title will catch their attention- or not.   Some writers try to decide on a title too early, or they become overly attached to a title...

Suspense is not just for mystery and thriller novels. Suspense can add a layer of urgency to reading- it is one of those things that make your book unputdownable. There is an art and a science to creating scenes that build up the suspense. In this episode we'll be breaking it down for you.   -What is suspense and why do all kinds of books need it -Different types of suspense in different genres -H...

What was it that made you finally go from dreaming of being a writer, to actually being a writer? Can you remember?   In fiction, too, inciting incidents are so important. They are the thing that launches your book's plot into gear, the thing that forces your main character out of complacency and into action.  Considering how important these inciting incidents are for authors to master, in this ep...

You know how you look forward to reading each new book by your favorite author? How you can sometimes read a few lines and know immediately which author composed them? How there can be ten books on a similar subject, but one that stands out head and shoulders above the rest?   That is the magic of style and voice.   In this episode of the How to be an Author podcast, join wriitng coach Karena Akha...

It's not so much about "writing a book." It's about telling a great story to your reader. Too many authors get tripped up when writing any kind of book, from novel to nonfiction, because they get overwhelmed by the idea of it and forget about the basics of a good story. Once you implement these, you will find that your writing is so much stronger. In this episode, writing coach Karena Akhavein tea...

Many writers start off focusing on their story and on their protagonist, but without an antagonist, there is no story. Believe it or not, this is not just the case for novels- it even applies if you're writing a business book- it is completely essential to a satisfying story arc and to character development. Often, when an antagonist is an afterthought, the causality of your book is not as powerfu...

Come on, admit it- you dream of writing a bestseller. At the very least, you hope to touch as many people as possible with your book. Either way, authors who want to sell more books need to make a plan. There is no exact magic formula to writing a book that tops the charts, but you will maximize your chances by planning it. In this episode of the How to be an Author podcast, writing coach Karena A...

As a writing coach, Karena Akhavein says that the majority of her clients come to her because they were devastated by negative feedback from editors or beta readers. This is why this week's How to be an Author podcast episode is all about working with beta readers and how to keep their comments or lack thereof from driving you crazy or breaking you down. You'll learn how to choose beta readers, wh...