Writer Unleashed

For many writers, first-person narration comes naturally.  And for memoir writers, it's the only choice. First-person has some advantages over third person. But it comes with unique challenges. In this episode, we'll cover the pros of first-person, 5 common challenges, and how  to overcome them. So you can capture the full range available to you with first-person. We'll cover how to...

In last week’s episode, we  talked about 3 foundational elements to explore before you outline.  And in this episode, we’re going to start building that outline. I’m going to walk you through six steps I learned from Philip Gerard. This method leaves plenty of room for invention and surprise. Think of it as a living outline, one you can adjust as you write and revise. And a great touch point whene...

When it comes to structuring your story, there's no one-size-fits-all. Some writers wing it all the way, others craft meticulous outlines before they write. Both can produce stunning results. But what's often missing in the I'll just wing it approach, and even in the most detailed outlines, are essential foundations that make a story work.  In this episode, we'll explore 3 foun...

How do we take our characters from their sketchy beginnings and make them come alive? How do we make them convincing? All writers struggle to make characters believable. But much of what readers come to know about a character isn’t stated explicitly. It's  submerged in the way a character speaks, moves, thinks, and behaves. It's beneath the surface. The challenge is conveying all that&ap...

Great stories often start with a trigger. One persistent image, a childhood memory, a family story, or a phone conversation you overhear on  the train ride to work.  In this episode, we’ll explore story triggers: what they are, where they come, how to tap into your own triggers, and select which ones are worthy of expanding into a story.  You'll learn about the triggers that gave rise to stor...

How do you bring a textured, multi-dimensional sense of place to your story? And why is it important? Well, just as plot isn't separate from character, neither is place. Place defines, reveals, and in many ways creates who we are. It's an extension of your characters, and can reflect your  story's central conflict and theme. In this episode, we'll explore 5 questions to bring d...

Among all the POVs, 3rd person is arguably the most confusing. Let's say you're writing in limited third from your main character's POV,  and there are points in the story where other characters do things your MC doesn't yet know, but need to be explained for the reader to understand what's happening.  How do you do that in limited 3rd? Are you allowed to change POV in the...

How much exposition is too much? Should you begin your story with exposition? And how do you write exposition in a way that isn’t excessive, awkward, or dull? In today’s episode, we'll talk about how to write exposition in a way that doesn’t sound like exposition.  We'll cover: What exposition is, and why it's essential; When to begin your story with exposition, and when not to; Two...

Dialogue between characters is one of those things writers struggle mightily with. You want the dialogue to sound like real life, but when you try to make it sound like a real conversation, it just sounds boring and fake. Maybe it's the back and forth, the quotation marks, or that it just doesn't sound right..... but dialogue can be exhausting and futile to write. Is there an easy way to...

Each scene is your story in miniature, a story unto itself.  And each follows the same 3 - Act structure. So, in this episode, you'll learn the story arc of a scene. We'll explore: ⇒ What information to get into your scene 's Act 1 set up, and how previous scenes prepare the reader for what will unfold.  ⇒ How to bring direct conflict and crisis into your scene's Act 2; and ⇒ H...

In story, you should always be building emotions.  But it’s challenging to get big emotions like grief, love, fear, and anger on the page.  Many writers exaggerate character emotion, turn to cliches, or don't convey enough emotion.  The trick is not to  tell us how your character feels, but to evoke emotion in your reader.  We want readers to feel with our characters. But how do you do that?...

You asked, I answered. In this episode, I’m answering 5 questions I hear over and over about character development. Questions like: What makes a strong, memorable character? How do I give my character more depth?  How can I make readers care for my characters? How do you decide whether or not to eliminate a character from a story? What is the proper way to write my character's thoughts? These...

What separates published authors from aspiring authors? Do they have more talent? More time?  Nope.  They just approach writing with a different mental construct.  In this episode, you'll learn 3 things published authors do differently.  We'll cover:  Why talent isn't enough, and what you need to cultivate instead; 3 mistakes aspiring writers make that eventually stop them in their...

What makes short stories different from novels? Aside from the obvious difference in length? And what can novelists learn from short stories? In this episode, I'm breaking down 3 structural elements of short stories, along with an example of how it's done.  If you're writing short stories, you'll learn how to organize and shape your material. And if you're writing a novel...

Now that summer's officially over and we're on the cusp of Fall, what better time to rekindle or start a consistent writing practice?   Call it a habit, routine, or ritual, but it's all about creating an ongoing and thriving relationship with your writing. The value of consistent practice is cumulative. You create space in your life to deepen your craft, expand your skills, and navi...

There comes a time when the story we're writing just isn't coming together as we envisioned.  Writing's become too  overwhelming and complicated.  So, we're tempted to quit. Quit the story. Or quit writing altogether. But just because you're coming up against obstacles and setbacks, even if they feel insurmountable, that's no reason to quit. In fact, that's the w...

As summer begins its exit, and Fall approaches, I curated 5 episodes to refresh your writing. These are some of the most downloaded episodes. You'll get everything from plot and character development, show vs. tell, how to select story details, and how to stay motivated. Think of this as your end of summer playlist. Here you go: Episode 37: Three Questions to Ask Before You Plot Your Story Ep...

What's the difference between biography, autobiography,  memoir, the immersion story, and personal essay? In this episode,  you'll learn about the possibilities available to you in the creative non-fiction genre.  You'll get clear on what makes these forms alike and different,  and what elements you need to be aware of when  writing one or the other.  You'll learn:  The similar...

How do you write the bad guy? The villain. The antagonist. The one who makes life difficult for your protagonist? How do you make this person believable and fascinating? Not just a stock cartoon character nobody believes in or cares about? One of the biggest pitfalls when writing villains -- aka, antagonists -- is over simplifying them. But your most troublesome character is just as important to d...

Want to bring your manuscript closer to published, but don't want to drop thousands to hire an editor?  In this episode, you'll learn to edit your story yourself.  You'll get answers to common questions like: Do I edit as I go? Or do I edit after the manuscript is done? How do I edit for coherence and continuity? Where do I begin? In this episode, I’m going to give you a   4-step st...

Ever feel like no matter how much time you spend on your plot, your story’s just not coming together? Maybe you're generally happy with your structure, but when you go to break down those story beats, all you find are a lot of plot holes. And now you’re overthinking everything, wondering how your characters and scenes work within your plot. In this episode I’m sharing  5 common plot problems...

If I asked you what your story was about, could you sum it up in a few sentences and tell me all I need to know to want more? Maybe you have too many ideas swimming around your head, and your story is running away from you. Either way, you have a hazy, rambling idea about what your story is all about. That's every story in its early stages. So, in this episode, I want to invite you to do a li...

What does an editor do precisely? How do you choose an editor you can trust with your manuscript?   How much do editors charge?  And is hiring one worth the investment?  In this episode, I'm answering the most frequently asked questions I get about editors.  I'll demystify the editing process. So you can make an informed, prudent decision on whether to invest in an editor or not. And you...

How do you tell the difference between genuinely bad writing and writing that's actually good... but you think it's bad because you're being over critical? How do you manage not liking what you write because you know you can do better? And so you end up not writing anything. What about when you want abandon your dreams of becoming an author because you re-read your work and you hate...

Why do readers read?  Is it just for entertainment? To escape everyday life? Or is there a deeper need? What is it about story that keeps us captivated from beginning to end? It helps to understand why stories are so impactful and precisely what readers are hungry for when they turn to a book. In this episode we’re going to explore what your reader is actually responding to when he forgets about t...