The Kate and Abbie Show

Well written action can be downright addictive. Let's face it: we love watching our characters face their biggest challenges and worst fears. But what is at the CORE of a good action sequence that makes it so addictive? What keeps us watching or reading late into the night? Whether you are writing a high fantasy, a sci-fi, or a contemporary, as a writer it's important to nail this aspect of your s...

Have you ever had a book idea that you feel passionate about, but unqualified to write because you just don't know enough about the subject matter? You're not alone. Whether you are writing about someone's unique life experience, tackling a historical fiction, or scribbling a densely scientific space story, it can often be daunting to tackle the research required to make your story shine. In...

Do you struggle to write descriptions that are short, sharp, and vividly immersive? It's no small task, this thing called "writing" – taking the images and ideas in our mind and painting a picture for your readers. That's why, in today's podcast, Abbie and I share our best advice for writing description (plus a special bonus printable to help you sharpen your prose and strengthen your technique.)...

Today we're celebrating the 100th episode of the Kate & Abbie Show! For this special centennial episode, Abbie and I will be playing a game: how well do we know each other? We're sisters, best friends, business partners, and co-authors of a forthcoming book series... needless to say, we know each other pretty well. But can we accurately guess the answers to these 11 questions? (Play along by p...

You don't have to book a month long writing retreat at a resort, fancy hotel, or somewhere in the mountains to get some words on the page - you can actually take an extremely easy and effective writing retreat right here, right now, from the comfort of your own home. If you're watching this in real time, Abbie and I invite you to join her month-long, at-home writing retreat this June over on her Y...

Ahhh, the editing process. We often have some mixed emotions at this step in the journey. The "fun creative" part is "over" and now it's all about rewriting, reworking, and trying to make one sentence flow by rewriting it 100 times. :") But we believe that this part of the journey doesn't have to be all bad... in fact, by using some of the tips and guidelines we'll share today, you might actually...

Raised in the Vermont mountains by two creative entrepreneur parents, Abbie and I started developing ideas for starting our own businesses at a very young age. You CAN publish as a teen or young adult author and start your writing career - it absolutely can be done. We did it, we learned from a lot of trial and error, and in this episode we want to share some of that indie author entrepreneur wisd...

Ah, showing vs. telling. As authors, we have all heard this one. It's great advice, but sometimes, it can seem a little hard to figure out. It's often not always clear what exactly constitutes as 'telling', and sometimes it can be difficult to 'show' without bogging down your chapters with too much description. Is it possible to...strike a balance? Abbie and I are here to answer that question in t...

Do you ever feel like you're not making progress on your dreams? Like, no matter what you do, it just kind of feels like your running on a treadmill? If the answer is yes, know that you are NOT alone. Whether you are writing your debut novel, or whether you've been a published author for a long time, whether you're writing a biography or a screenplay, we all experience setbacks and frustrations fr...

Can a plotter and a pantser co-write a book together? That's the question we're tackling in today's podcast. You might not know this, but Abbie and Kate are currently writing a book series together – and their respective writing methods look VERY different. In this episode, they're going to share how to work together as polar opposites and how to leverage your co-author's strengths to create a mas...

Are you struggling to give your characters unique voices? Do you feel like all your characters sound the same, or just sound like you? If so, this podcast is for you. In today's episode, authors Kate and Abbie are sharing their BEST TIPS for writing character voice that shines. Immerse your reader in the perspective of your character with these tried-and-true storytelling techniques. Grab a notebo...

What causes us to fall head-over-heels in LOVE with a main character? Is it something about their personality, their chemistry with the supporting characters, or how "perfectly heroic" they are? We've asked ourselves this question many, many times, and we believe the answer is just the opposite: it's not about how "perfect" your character is...it's actually about how flawed, human, and relatable y...

In the "digital age" of the internet and social media, thousands of things vie for our time and attention, pulling us away from our craft and giving our art the very best we have to offer. It can be difficult to find mental clarity and focus as a creative writer these days, but today Abbie and Kate are going to share 5 tips they personally use in their daily lives that help them to not only write...

Dialogue: the backbone of character interaction and novel structure. It's what grabs a reader and pulls them into your character's world. But sometimes it can be tricky to nail your character's voice in dialogue. Today, authors Kate and Abbie are talking about how to completely NAIL this aspect of your novel. We're talking dialogue today, guys! So grab a notebook, a cup of coffee, and let's go! Li...

Wondering what to write next? How to find that story idea that just SPEAKS TO YOUR SOUL at this moment? Or maybe you're trying to choose from a list of "plot bunnies''. Whatever the case, Abbie and Kate have you covered in this episode of the Kate and Abbie Show. Let's explore how to brainstorm book ideas, and write the story of your dreams! Like this episode? Give us a thumbs up, subscribe, and t...

Hello friends, welcome! Today Abbie and I are breaking down one of the great mysteries of writing: that OPENING HOOK! How do we NAIL it? How to we draw our readers in, and craft a story that is unputdownable? We're breaking down our top advice for writing a captivating opening hook. So grab a notebook, and let's get into this! Like this episode? Give us a thumbs up, subscribe, and tell us what you...

Do you often catch yourself getting distracted when you're trying to write? Don't worry – it happens to the best of us. That's why, in today's podcast, Abbie and Kate are sharing their top favorite hacks for staying laser focused on your writing project. The tips they are sharing today are methods they personally use on a daily basis to stay focused and motivated to write their books. Let's dive i...

In today's modern "hustle" culture, we can often feel disconnected from our creativity. The internet and newsfeeds offer – and, in fact, encourage – constant distraction. In this podcast, authors Kate and Abbie are discussing a better and more connected way to create... a life and creative process rooted in mindfulness. So take a deep breath, and let's dive in! Like this episode? Give us a thumbs...

Do you want to create excitement around your book launch, but you're not sure where to start? Let's face it: nobody likes self-promo or spending a bunch of money on advertising that goes nowhere. That's why, in today's podcast, authors Abbie and Kate are sharing their favorite strategies for building hype around their books without breaking the bank. This episode is loaded with insightful tips and...

Guess what? Kate and I just finished writing our first book together! We're super excited to reach the finish line for this first draft...and we're looking forward to sharing it with you one day! To celebrate, we wanted to dedicate this episode to our journey co-writing this book together – the highs, the lows, and the lessons we learned along the way. So if you're interested in co-writing a book...

Are you ready to make your author dreams come true in 2022 and finally publish that book you've been desperate to share with the world? Whether you're going indie, traditional, or some avenue in between, this new podcast is for you. In this episode, authors Kate and Abbie are sharing their best tips for publishing a novel in 2022 – from finding readers to editing your manuscript to creating conver...

As creative writers, we all LOVE those writing days where time seems to fly past without us even noticing. We are just SO wrapped up in our beautiful little world - we could do this FOREVER. You know what I'm talking about. Call it "writer's high" being "in flow" or finding that state of perfect focus, we all want to access this place on demand: but how do we do that? How do we get into the writin...

Is your goal to become a consistent writer this year? Or perhaps to write that book you've always wanted to write? If so, this podcast is for you. In today's episode, author Kate and Abbie are breaking down how to build an UNBREAKABLE writing habit, how to write consistently, and how to start the book of your dreams in 2022! Ready? Let's dive in. Like this episode? Give us a thumbs up, subscribe,...

If you want to craft a villain that goes beyond the stereotypical black-cloaked figure laughing in the darkness, this episode is for you. In this special Story Mining episode, we are deep-diving into exactly what makes a villain unforgettable, hair-raising, and downright addictive to your audience. We're using examples from some of our all-time favorite stories, and picking them apart to study exa...

Have you ever wondered which writing tools are actually worth investing in? Which ones will increase your productivity, organization, and ultimately help you improve your writing life? In today's new podcast, authors Kate and Abbie are excited to discuss their top 7 favorite writing tools – how they use them, what they love about them, and why you should give them a try. Grab a cup of tea and let'...