Writing Break

This Christmas Day bonus episode explores the creative power of stubbornness and includes three reflective prompts to help you close out your year with clarity and intention. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Why writers need stubbornness How it protects your voice. How it carries books across the finish line More Writing Tips The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break Free Style Sheet Templates...

In the final part of our Fantasy Subgenre Series, we explore the soft side of the genre: Cozy Fantasy, Slice-of-Life Fantasy, Eco-Fantasy, Children’s Fantasy, YA Fantasy, Comical/Satirical Fantasy, Fairy-Tale Fantasy, and Fairy-Tale Retellings. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Creating stillness and gentle magic Land-based storytelling Intensity and transformation in YA Fantasy Why some readers crave...

In Part II of our Fantasy Subgenre Series, we explore the darker and more modern branches of fantasy: Dark Fantasy, Grimdark, Urban Fantasy, Contemporary/Modern Fantasy, Paranormal Fantasy, Romantasy, Progression Fantasy, LitRPG, and Gamelit. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: What defines each subgenre? Why do readers love them? How does magic, character, and structure shift across newer fantasy genre...

In Part I of this three-episode Fantasy Subgenre Series, we dive into the grand-scale branches of fantasy: Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Low Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Historical Fantasy, Alternate History, Mythic Fantasy, Indigenous/Mythic-Region Fantasy, Portal Fantasy, Science Fantasy, Steampunk, and Gaslamp Fantasy. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: What defines each subgenre? Why do readers love...

Pour yourself something spiced and settle in as we revisit writing tips from this season’s genre deep dives. 🛋️ More Writing Tips The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break 7 Literary Conflicts Explained (Clip Show #11) - Writing Break Free Style Sheet Templates Music licensed from Storyblocks.

If your book is “for everyone,” it’s actually for no one. In this sharp yet encouraging episode, we tackle one of the biggest hurdles for new authors: not wanting to be boxed in by genre. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Identify your book’s genre and emotional promise. Avoid the “genre blender” mistake that confuses readers. Use genre conventions as creative and marketing tools. Communicate your boo...

Your life is a story, but not every moment needs to be shared.  In this episode of Writing Break , we’re exploring memoir and creative nonfiction, the genres where truth becomes art. Learn how to shape your real experiences into stories that captivate readers, how to handle the tricky business of writing about other people, and how to balance honesty with craft. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics:...

In this episode, we’ll unravel what “literary fiction” actually means, what readers expect when they open a literary novel, and how you, as a writer, can approach it without falling into the trap of pretension. We'll also look at how to build your portfolio, no matter what genre you're writing. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Why every sentence matters Balancing introspection with forward momentum i...

Just in time for Halloween, this episode explores the expectations and pitfalls of writing horror and how to write fear in any genre. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Fear in any genre The core of horror Tension as the backbone Themes and monsters Horror subgenres Global horror Pitfalls to avoid Next week, we’ll leave the monsters behind and step into Literary Fiction, the genre that insists on findi...

Gothic fiction is where beauty meets terror. In this episode, we explore how to write Gothic stories that grip readers with atmosphere, ambiguity, and desire: 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Setting as character The uncanny and the supernatural Romance entwined with ruin Gothic subgenres and global traditions Pitfalls to avoid More Writing Tips The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break Music...

Good historical fiction makes the past feel as alive as the present. In this episode, we explore how to write immersive, character-driven stories that honor history without feeling like a textbook. First, we talk about the importance of writing contests. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Research as foundation, story as focus Characters as people, not historical mannequins Balancing authenticity with...

Science fiction bends natural laws with speculation grounded in possibility. In this episode, we explore the foundations of sci-fi storytelling. Plus: publishing news on new imprints, prize controversies, AI audiobooks, and why indie presses are thriving. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: The “one big lie” principle. Science as a lens to ask bigger questions. Balancing ideas with compelling characters...

This week, we journey into the realm of fantasy and uncover how to build worlds that feel alive without overwhelming your readers with exposition. Tune in for writing advice, publishing insights, and a well-deserved writing break. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Roddy Doyle’s blunt remarks about weak submissions, fonts, and page counts The role of rules when world-building The common pitfalls of fan...

In this episode, we’ll explore the chemistry, conflict, and tropes that make romance irresistible, plus hear nine hard-won lessons from debut author Esther Walker. Even if you’re not writing romance, these insights will make you a stronger storyteller and a more resilient writer. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: The default response from agents and publishers Balancing chemistry and conflict Giving o...

What makes a thriller thrilling? In this episode of Writing Break , we discuss pacing, stakes, suspense, and more. We also look at what, if anything, BookTok can do for you. Spread a little love by subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing Writing Break with a fellow writer who loves a good thrill. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: The key differences between suspense and thrillers How to raise stake...

Season 8 of Writing Break sets sail with mystery and detective fiction. From archetypal sleuths to red herrings and fair-play clues, learn how to craft puzzles that keep readers guessing. Plus, the latest publishing news, including a $1.5 billion AI copyright settlement and turmoil at the Library of Congress. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Why it matters to revisit genre basics in an AI-dominated l...

In this bonus episode, we’re wrapping up Season 7 with a stitched-together master episode featuring all five segments from our Querying Literary Agent series. Whether you're just starting your submission journey or navigating the silence after sending your pitch, this complete guide has you covered. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Part 1: Big Five Dreams or Indie Vibes? Part 2: Where the Lit Agents...

Querying literary agents and not hearing back can feel like shouting into the void. In this episode, recorded mid-recovery from a concussion (yes, really), we’re turning that creative purgatory into purposeful progress. If you’ve sent out queries and find yourself obsessively refreshing your inbox, this is your antidote. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: Overanalyzing the querying blues and becoming b...

In the final installment of our four-part series on querying literary agents, we break down what to expect when a literary agent replies to your email. From form rejections and useful feedback to the coveted request for more materials, today’s episode is all about helping you navigate agent responses. Plus, in publishing news: A $44 million scam targeting writers has resulted in federal charges Fa...

In today’s episode of Writing Break , we’re dog-sitting, dodging deadlines, and diving deep into the dreaded query letter. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: The classic 3-part structure of a fiction query letter What makes a strong nonfiction pitch A breakdown of the 7 essential parts of a book proposal The 5 most common query mistakes 🎧 Catch up on the series: Part 1: Should You Query a Literary Age...

Today we’re (finally!) continuing our four-part series on querying literary agents. Whether you're writing fiction or nonfiction, querying without doing your homework is like picking a random person off a dock and asking them to captain your boat across the ocean. In this episode, I'm sharing how to research literary agents and find the ones most likely to say yes to your book. 🛋️ Overthinking Cou...

Welcome to the first installment of a four-part series on querying literary agents. In this episode, we explore the pros and cons of publishing with a Big Five publisher versus an independent press. Whether you're writing fiction or nonfiction, traditionally publishing or submitting directly to publishers, this episode will help you clarify your publishing goals. Plus: A roundup of the latest publ...

It’s time for a heavy dose of writing wisdom, clipped and curated from recent episodes. Whether you’re plotting, editing, procrastinating or just looking for a creative nudge, this episode’s packed with the good stuff: smart takes, helpful reminders, and maybe a little tough love. Featuring: First-draft and second-draft writing advice Actionable writing tips from bestselling authors The reality of...

Is your story high-concept or low-concept? Understanding this difference can help you refine your pitch, strengthen your storytelling, and position your book effectively in the publishing industry. 🛋️ Overthinking Couch Topics: What makes a story high-concept What defines a low-concept story How to tell which one you’re writing and why it matters Examples from books and films to illustrate both co...

The publishing world is shifting fast, and as writers, we need to keep up. In this episode, I dive into some of the biggest changes happening in the industry right now, from how AI is reshaping publishing to restrictions that could impact book accessibility. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, understanding these changes will help you navigate publishing smarter. I also share a...