Writing Break

How much can you really accomplish in two minutes? This week on Writing Break , I share a simple exercise I call The Two-Minute Wait, which can help you better understand your relationship with time and improve the way you manage it. We also discuss this year's International Booker Prize news before exploring storytelling traditions from around the world, including Nordic noir, magical realism, Go...

Everyone in your life thinks your book would make a great movie, play, or video game. But adaptation isn't a copy-paste job because every medium solves storytelling problems differently. This week, we put one scene through four different mediums to see what each one reveals about craft, whether or not you ever plan on adapting anything. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Why "the book was better" misse...

AI continues reshaping publishing, and writers cannot afford to ignore what's happening. In this week's news episode, we explore the growing legal, ethical, and professional questions surrounding AI, authorship, copyright, and creative ownership. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Publishing CEOs warning against an AI "witch hunt" The increasingly complicated question of what counts as authorship Copyr...

Should you write what you love or write what sells? Is it possible to do both? In this episode of Writing Break , we explore how writers can stop chasing trends and, instead, find the overlap between personal passion and commercial viability. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break Identifying Your Ideal Reader - Writing Break Home : America's Editor - Let's...

Cross-genre fiction is thriving, but blending genres successfully requires more than adding a dragon to a murder mystery (sad, but true). If you're writing a cross-genre novel, planning to write one, or wondering whether your manuscript accidentally became one, this episode will help you blend genres without confusing your readers. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Combining genres intentionally What...

What keeps a novel interesting after the premise stops being new? In this episode, I share the most important question to ask yourself while writing, no matter what genre you're writing. I also analyze why some novels start out strong but struggle to sustain themselves to the end. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: novel architecture unnecessary subplots repetitive scenes the infamous middle-of-a-book...

This week’s episode is a Writing Break clip show packed with writing advice across multiple genres and storytelling forms. If you’ve missed part of the recent genre series or just want a concentrated episode full of practical writing insight, this one pulls together some of the strongest segments from recent episodes. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: paranormal fiction romantic suspense cozy mysterie...

Some novels should have been novellas. In this episode, we get into the latest publishing and book trend news, and we talk about why shorter forms can create stronger stories. If you’ve ever wondered whether your manuscript is actually a novella in disguise, this episode is for you. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Why many novels lose focus when stretched too far How novellas balance emotional immer...

Short stories don’t give you less to do, just fewer places to hide. They are often seen as a stepping stone for writers, but they demand a level of precision many writers underestimate. In this episode, we look at what short stories are actually designed to do. We explore how strong short fiction is built around a single emotional movement, why focus and constraint matter, and how detail selection...

What happens when you break the rules of storytelling? In this episode, we explore how to experiment with intention. We look at nonlinear structure, fragmented narratives, and hybrid forms and why they only work when the writer maintains control over meaning, pacing, and emotion. Key takeaway: You can break structure, but you cannot abandon it. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: What defines experiment...

In this episode, we break down the publishing developments editors and agents are talking about right now and what they mean for working writers. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Why audiobooks are now a primary format, not a secondary rights stream The continued dominance of celebrity books and what it signals about the market The “hollowing out” of the midlist and what it means for author careers H...

Comics, manga, and graphic novels combine image and word to tell stories in a way prose cannot. In this episode, we examine what actually changes when storytelling moves into panels, and why many writers struggle when they approach the form with prose habits. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: What defines a graphic narrative? How do readers construct meaning across panels? What changes in dialogue whe...

Elements of Western novels are infiltrating other genres and modernizing the mythology of the Wild West. In this episode, we head out to the frontier to explore how classic Western storytelling transformed into the modern neo-Western. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: • What are the core tropes that define a classic Western? • How are neo-Westerns reinterpreting these elements in modern settings? • Wh...

Want to write a cozy mystery? This episodes explores the way cozy mystery blends charming communities, amateur sleuths, and clever puzzles to create crime stories that feel suspenseful without becoming dark or graphic. From Murder, She Wrote to modern bookstore-and-bakery mysteries, cozy stories invite readers into tight-knit communities where secrets simmer beneath the surface and clever sleuths...

What’s the difference between Young Adult and New Adult fiction? We explore the life stages, voice, and themes that define each genre, plus publishing news on AI copyright, contracts, and book bans. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: What defines Young Adult fiction What defines New Adult fiction The key differences between identity formation and life-building How voice changes between YA and NA Why au...

Romantic suspense blends love and danger. Learn how to balance emotional tension with high-stakes conflict, build trust between characters under pressure, and deliver satisfying dual resolutions that keep readers turning pages. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: The latest publishing news What defines the romantic suspense genre What readers expect from romantic suspense novels Common pitfalls writers...

In this business-focused episode, America’s Editor breaks down the major industry shifts that are changing how books are discovered, distributed, and monetized. You’ll learn what recent developments mean for working authors. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: How today's authors keep their audience Changes in book-selling platform access Discoverability vs Visibility The future of author rights AI trai...

In this episode of Writing Break , we take a deep dive into paranormal fiction's lasting appeal and why stories about ghosts, vampires, and other supernatural beings continue to dominate bestseller lists. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: What defines paranormal fiction and why it’s thriving How ghosts, vampires, and other creatures function as modern archetypes Using the supernatural as metaphor for...

Over the past couple of months, we’ve covered dystopia, utopia, action, adventure, magical realism, children’s literature, satire, and a whole lot of fantasy. This clip show puts some of those writing tip segments together for you as a literary aperitif before we begin Season 9, where we'll be talking about blending all of these flavors together to create your signature genre. I'm very much lookin...

In this episode of Writing Break , we explore how to use comedy as a storytelling tool without sacrificing character, plot, or emotional weight. We’ll look at different types of humor on the page, what satire is meant to critique, and why timing, voice, and intention matter more than punchlines. We’ll also cover the most common mistakes writers make when trying to be funny and how to avoid turning...

In this episode of The Writing Break , we explore dystopian and utopian fiction and discuss the latest publishing news. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Dystopian vs. utopian fiction Society as the main character Common pitfalls when writing dystopia & utopia fiction Amazon’s “Ask This Book” Kindle feature and why the Authors Guild is concerned The proposed Anthropic AI settlement and what opting...

In this episode of Writing Break , we explore the Action and Adventure genre, which is all about forward motion. If you’re writing adventure novels, action scenes, or fast-paced fiction, this episode breaks down the craft behind the thrill. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: How to write a compelling adventure How pacing, escalation, setting, and hero resilience work together How to avoid action that f...

The episode opens with a look at current publishing news affecting authors, including reading behavior shifts and trends. Then we look at the three major stages of children’s literature and why understanding developmental stages matters. Perfect for writers curious about children’s books, writers who think they already understand the category, and anyone interested in how readers develop. 🛋️ Overt...

This week on Writing Break , we’re exploring how to weave the extraordinary into the ordinary without breaking the spell of magical realism. We're also discussing Amazon's increasing censorship of authors and artists. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: How it differs from fantasy and why the magic must stay unexplained Techniques to balance realism and wonder Common pitfalls that break the spell The La...

Who are you becoming as a writer? Forget making a list of New Year's resolutions; instead, write a narrative for 2026. This bonus episode includes prompts for a creative reset to prepare you for the year ahead. More Writing Tips Free Style Sheet Templates Music licensed from Storyblocks.