Writer Unleashed

Writing your first novel can feel like dumping 1000 puzzle pieces onto the floor without the picture on the box to guide you. You've got characters, scenes, maybe even a few moments you love, but you have no clear sense of what it all adds up to. If you're staring at your messy draft thinking, What even is this? - d on't worry.  You're not alone, and you're not even as los...

Struggling to get past chapter one, even with a solid outline and a great idea? In this episode, we unpack why starting your novel feels so hard, what’s really behind the block, and how to take the first imperfect steps forward.  Episode Web Page

In this episode, we’re zeroing in on one of the most important (and most rewritten) parts of your novel: the first chapter. A strong first chapter doesn’t need to be long or dramatic, but it does need to hook the reader, ground them in the world of the story, and raise a question they’re eager to follow. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck on your opening pages, rewriting again and again, wonderin...

You’ve written pages. Maybe even chapters. But your scenes still aren’t landing the way you imagined. The pacing drags. The tension fizzles. And you’re not sure why. In this episode, we’re diving into the 3 essential elements that make a scene work. So your story doesn’t just move forward, but pulls the reader in and keeps them hooked moment by moment. If your scenes feel a little off, or you’re n...

Writing a book isn’t just a creative act—it’s a mental marathon. And if you’ve ever found yourself stuck in self-doubt, overwhelmed by the blank page, or spiraling after a tough writing day, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re diving into what it really means to build mental fitness as a writer. You’ll learn why talent isn’t enough—and how developing emotional resilience, self-trust, focus, a...

You've got an exciting plot. Compelling characters. And the action is moving along at a crisp pace. But something still feels flat. Chances are, your character’s inner world isn’t fully making it onto the page. In this episode, we’re talking about the layer that gives your story emotional weight and resonance— character interiority. You’ll learn: ✔️ What interiority is (and what it’s not)  ✔️...

Stuck in a writing slump? You’re not alone. In this episode, we’re talking about those hard, heavy moments when the words won’t come, your story feels stalled, and self-doubt creeps in. Slumps are a normal part of the creative cycle, but they can feel lonely and defeating when you’re deep in one. Today, I’m sharing gentle, practical ways to find your way back without forcing it or beating yourself...

You’ve built your character's world and raised the stakes. But how do you end your story in a way that feels true and unforgettable? In this episode, I’m breaking down the 4 biggest mistakes writers make with endings, plus 5 different ways to close your story.  You’ll also get practical tips for revising an ending that’s falling flat, and learn how the right ending can transform your entire s...

Among the most important (and intimidating) decisions you'll make as a writer is how to begin your story. That opening moment sets the tone, establishes the world, and signals to your readers what kind of story they're stepping into.  There isn't one right way to open your story. It's all play and experimentation. The key to a powerful ending is choosing one that's aligned...

Writing dialog can feel deceptively simple. After all, it's just people talking, right? But in far too many stories, characters are recapping the plot or revealing too much of what they're thinking or feeling. The dialogue is pure exposition, doing too much of the story's heavy lifting.   Great dialogue works on multiple levels, often saying more in what's unsaid than what is s...

Writing your story setting requires more than just pretty language, and does so much more than provide the physical setting. It anchors the reader in time and place while immersing them in a tactile sensory experience in every scene.  In this episode, I'm going to give you 4 essential techniques for writing your story setting.   You'll learn how to craft your settings selectively and wit...

Revising a first draft can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? What do you cut? How do you keep your original vision alive How do you take all the moving parts and refine it into a more coherent, effective whole?  In this episode, I’ll guide you through the three key phases of revision —and give you practical tips to help you shape your messy draft into a strong, finished story. Episode Website

Retrospective narrators have the power to tell your story with both raw immediacy and hard earned wisdom. This narrator doesn’t just recall the past – he or she reinterprets it. What makes it tricky is that you’re not just telling the story of what happened . You’re telling it through two lenses : The younger self who lived it. And the older self who looks back with reflection, wisdom, and maybe e...

There’s something captivating about seeing a story unfold through a child’s perspective. Child narrators strip away the layers of adult logic, cynicism and pretense, revealing raw wonder, confusion or even unexpected wisdom. But writing from a child’s perspective is deceptively difficult. Writers often fall into traps, making the child sound too innocent, too passive, or one dimensional. So in tod...

The unreliable narrator is one of the most powerful storytelling techniques. Whether you're writing in first-person or third, an unreliable narrator compels readers to interpret what's happening, looking for clues that reveal the truth beyond the narrator's perspective. And this keeps readers hooked into your story until the very last page. In this episode, I'm going to share 4...

First person narration puts readers directly into a character's head, creating an intimate and immediate experience. This perspective allows for deep emotional connection and personal stakes. But it also comes with unique challenges. In this episode, I'm going to share 4 common pitfalls when writing in first person and how to avoid them . Episode Website

Your opening scenes are valuable real estate. You don't want to squander them on anything mundane or extraneous. Many writers start way too early in the story, often giving the everyday details of their character's life. Or they spend too much time introducing the character's world and not launching him or her into the action soon enough. And then the reader is left wondering where...

Ever wish you could expand time and give more energy to your writing? In this episode, you'll learn about two types of time - one that restricts time and one that expands time. We'll also talk about how to manage common distractions, and what it really takes to stay motivated for the long game. Episode Website

When is it a good idea to write from multiple points of view, rather than one point of view? And how do you do it? In this episode, I'll cover 4 reasons to use multiple points of view, how to write them, and common pitfalls to avoid. Episode Website

What do you do when you're stuck in a scene, or you know the scene isn't working, and you just don't know why or how to move the scene forward?  In this episode, we'll go over three reasons your scenes are stalling and what to do instead.  Episode Website

Now that we're in a brand new year, it's a good time to reflect on what worked in the past year, what didn't work, and most importantly, what we can do differently to move the needle forward in 2025. Time is a precious resource, so we don't want to squander it spinning in the wrong direction again and again only to keep getting stuck. So in this episode, I'm going to share...

You’ve lost motivation and may even have stopped writing altogether. So how do you get your mojo back so you can bring your work in progress to the finish line? In this throwback episode, we'll explore 5 reasons our motivation fizzles out and how to turn it around. We'll talk about:  the power of having a safe, judgement-free community  what social scientists have discovered about what r...

Getting results in our writing is great. But a result-oriented mindset can hinder creativity and authenticity. In this throwback episode , you'll learn how to evaluate your work based on 2 important qualities: presence and truth. This is all about your emotional connection and belief in your story. It's a more transformational approach that values the ongoing journey, and the evolving re...

The most common struggle writers have when writing a novel is structure. Both plotters and pantsers get overwhelmed with the sheer volume of material and ideas they have about their story. Invariably, the story becomes unwieldy and falls apart. When a story breaks down, it's because the underlying foundation isn't strong enough to hold the story up. So in this episode, I'm going to...

Why do we read stories? And why do we write them? We'll uncover the irresistible pull stories have on us, and why your story matters to those who read it. But in order for your story to matter to readers, it must matter to you first. So in this episode, you'll learn that why you write is far more important than what you write. Episode Website