Inside Creative Writing

tHE POWER OF LITTLE MYSTERIES:How to Keep Readers Turning Pages — a podcast episode — How do you keep readers engaged in a novel without constant action or plot twists? One of the most effective ways to keep readers engaged is by incorporating “little mysteries,” unanswered questions or withheld information that prompt curiosity. These can be as simple as a character avoiding a topic, a strange be...

What If You’re Not the Kind of Writer You Thought You’d Be? — a podcast episode — What if I’m not the kind of writer I thought I’d be? Many writers start with a fixed idea of the kind of stories they’re supposed to write, but creative growth often reveals a different voice or genre that feels more authentic. Embracing this shift isn’t failure; it’s part of discovering your true identity as a write...

WHEN CHARACTERS TAKE CONTROL:Writing and the Internal Family System — a podcast episode — Why do some characters take control of your story? Some characters seem to “take over” your story because they may represent parts of your own mind. According to Internal Family Systems (IFS) theory, the human psyche is made up of different internal parts—each with its own voice, perspective, and motivation....

PLAN YOUR NOVEL WITH INDEX CARDS!borrowing a Screenwriter’s Tool — a podcast episode — How can I use index cards to plot a novel? The index card method helps novelists visualize and organize their story by dividing it into key turning points across a four-row layout, one row per story act. Each card represents a single scene, allowing writers to pace their novel, identify structural weaknesses, an...

BOREDOM AND CREATIVITY:A Writing Superpower — a podcast episode — Why is boredom important for writers? Boredom gives the brain space to reflect, wander, and make creative connections. Without constant distractions, writers can tap into deeper ideas and story insights that often remain buried beneath the noise of modern life. Helping writers craft authentic, immersive stories. Find out more about...

WHY DO YOU WRITE?Finding Purpose Beneath the Pressure — a podcast episode — Why do writer’s write? Writers write to explore, express, and make sense of their inner and outer worlds—whether to connect, create, remember, or simply because they have to. Helping writers craft authentic, immersive stories. Find out more about us here. Inside Creative Writing Email this Page Share on Bluesky Share on Li...

Reading Like a Writer:Unlocking the secrets of Great Writing — a podcast episode — What is reading like a writer? To read like a writer means looking past the story to study how it was built. After the first read for pleasure, you revisit the text to examine structure, pacing, dialogue, and emotional beats. It’s about learning how great writing works so you can use those tools in your own. Helping...

Can a Scene Generator AI Help Me Write Better Scenes? — a resource video — Can a Scene Generator AI Help Me Write Better Scenes? Yes, but not by replacing your creativity. Instead, it serves as a powerful tool to show you what’s been done before by thousands of other writers. Use it as a way to avoid clichés, overdone tropes, and overly familiar writing that your readers have seen before. Table Of...

Should I Use AI to Write My Novel? — a podcast episode — Can AI help you write a novel? AI can assist with structuring ideas, tracking details, and refining prose , but it lacks true creativity, emotional depth, and narrative instincts. Writers should use AI as a tool for support rather than a replacement for human storytelling. Helping writers craft authentic, immersive stories. Find out more abo...

WRITING RESISTANCE: How to Overcome the hidden Obstacles To Writing — a podcast episode — Helping writers craft authentic, immersive stories. Find out more about us here. Inside Creative Writing Email this Page Share on Bluesky Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Threads Share on Facebook Table Of Contents Why Writing Resistance Happens (And How to Break Through It) By th...

Write Great Dialogue… Without Writing Dialogue? —a podcast episode — Helping writers craft authentic, immersive stories. Find out more about us here. Inside Creative Writing Email this Page Share on Bluesky Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Threads Share on Facebook Table Of Contents By the end of this episode, you will… The Struggles of Writing Dialogue The Dialogue Wi...

How to Make Readers Feel Emotion: The Key to Powerful Storytelling — a podcast episode — Helping writers craft authentic, immersive stories. Find out more about us here. Inside Creative Writing Email this Page Share on Bluesky Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Threads Share on Facebook Table Of Contents How do you get your reader to truly feel what your characters are e...

CONFLICT IN WRITING: How to Create Tension That Hooks Readers — a podcast episode — Conflict in writing is the tension, struggle, or opposition that drives a story forward. It can be external (character vs. character, society, nature) or internal (character vs. self), but it always creates obstacles that challenge the protagonist and force growth or change. Helping writers craft authentic, immersi...

WRITING CHALLENGES: Lessons from a New Writer’s Journey with Jesse Hawley — a podcast episode — New writers often overestimate their skills, avoid feedback, and get stuck between rigid rules and total creative freedom. Many write in isolation, struggling to spot their own weaknesses. This episode explores these challenges and how to overcome them with self-awareness, critique, and a balanced writi...

HOW TO WRITE VIVID DESCRIPTIONS: Master the Art of Immersive Storytelling — a podcast episode — To write vivid descriptions, focus on one or two striking details rather than overwhelming the reader with long lists. Use sensory details—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—to make scenes come alive. Also, consider your character’s perspective; their emotions will influence what they notice. Helping...

HOW TO HOOK a READER: The Power of First Impressions in Writing — a podcast episode — Confirmation bias in writing influences how readers, agents, and publishers perceive a book based on first impressions. Titles, covers, formatting, and opening sentences create an initial bias that shapes how the rest of the work is judged. Writers can use this effect to their advantage by crafting strong, engagi...

HOW TO WRITE SUBTEXT: every Detail is An Argument — a podcast episode — Subtext is the unspoken meaning behind dialogue, character actions, and setting details. Instead of directly stating a character’s personality or emotions, skilled writers use small, intentional cues—like clothing, posture, or word choice—to subtly communicate deeper truths. Helping writers craft authentic, immersive stories....

THEME IN FICTION WRITING: How to Develop Meaningful Stories — a podcast episode — What is theme in fiction writing? Theme in fiction writing is the underlying message or central idea that gives a story deeper meaning. Unlike a topic, which is broad (e.g., “revenge” or “love”), theme is a specific perspective on that topic (e.g., “Revenge destroys both the seeker and the victim”). A well-developed...

Staring at a blank page, unsure what to do next? If you’ve ever felt stuck, this episode is for you. Writer’s block can feel paralyzing, but there are proven techniques to break through and keep writing—even when inspiration seems out of reach.

Great dialogue isn’t just about what’s said—it’s about what’s left unsaid. Writing subtext in dialogue helps create realistic, emotionally charged conversations that engage readers and reveal deeper character motivations. In this episode, we break down how to use the "third thing" technique to add layers of meaning to your dialogue without making it feel forced or unnatural.

Want to hook readers from page one? Learn how to write a strong first chapter and a compelling final scene to create a memorable novel.

Every writer has the same 24 hours in a day, yet some make consistent progress on their books while others struggle to even start. The difference? It’s not about finding time—it’s about making writing a priority.

Creating a page-turning plot doesn’t require a complicated formula—it starts with understanding the core structure of your story. In this episode, we explore a foundational plotting method that simplifies story development while ensuring reader engagement. At the heart of storytelling is the tension between what characters want and what they truly need.

What separates great writing from average storytelling? In this episode, we break down the techniques that make writing powerful and memorable. If you want to elevate your craft, this conversation with Barlow Adams is for you.

Perfectionism isn’t helping your writing—it’s paralyzing it. If you’re constantly stuck rewriting the same chapters instead of finishing your book, it’s time to shift your approach. Let’s talk about how to overcome perfectionism in writing so you can finally move forward.