Writing Pursuits

Show Notes Today I welcome Jeff Elkins to Writing Pursuits. Jeff is an author of more than 10 novels, an editor, and a professional speaker. He is the host of the Dialogue Doctor Podcast and a Three Story Method Certified editor. Links: WritingPursuits.com Instagram : @WritingPursuitsPodcast Three Story Method Certified Editor KathreseMcKee.com Mailerlite (affiliate link) YourFirstChapter.com Gues...

Show Notes Conflict, choices, and consequences are the engine that powers your story and engages your readers. How can you build these three Cs into your first chapter? What are the types of conflict, and how can you use them to your advantage? Finally, what is the fourth C to make your first chapter irresistible? Links: WritingPursuits.com Instagram : @WritingPursuitsPodcast Three Story Method Ce...

Show Notes As part of the series on how to write a strong first chapter, we consider the setting of the story, the normal world, the types of stakes in a story, and the genre expectations. Links: WritingPursuits.com Instagram : @WritingPursuitsPodcast Three Story Method Certified Editor KathreseMcKee.com Mailerlite (affiliate link) YourFirstChapter.com

Show Notes Today's Question: What is your favorite kind of point of view and why? Point of view is one of the most important decisions you must make before you begin writing your first chapter. Whose perspective will you choose–yours, one of your characters, or multiple points of view? Which type of point of view will you choose? These questions and more on Episode 17 of Writing Pursuits. Links: W...

Show Notes The first thing a first chapter must do is hook the reader with one or more catchy opening sentences. Learning how to write the first chapter of a book is difficult, but mastering how to write a great first sentence is at least as important. We will cover ways to hook your reader and more on Episode 16 of Writing Pursuits. Links: WritingPursuits.com Instagram : @WritingPursuitsPodcast T...

This is the last episode for 2021; please join us again on Wednesday, January 5th for the first episode of 2022. How do you know when your story is finished? The answer to that question is a judgment call with artistic and practical factors to consider. Are you wasting time on endless revisions?  What do your readers want? What do agents and publishers want? Is the story long enough or is it...

What is a plot convenience? Can you identify examples of plot convenience in books and movies? Learn how to avoid plot convenience in your novels. Links: WritingPursuits.com Instagram : @WritingPursuitsPodcast Writing Pursuits Author Community WordMarkerEdits.com KathreseMcKee.com Mailerlite (affiliate link)

Episode 13: Debunking Author Myths There are several, common myths about writing for a living. Today we discuss and debunk the myths. This week’s question is: What lies are holding you back from writing? Please share. Links: WritingPursuits.com Instagram : @WritingPursuitsPodcast Three Story Method Certified Editor What does that mean? KathreseMcKee.com Mailerlite (affiliate link) Other Links...

The big rocks first principle works, but there are problems with the analogy. For authors, it is essential to decide what your big rocks are to avoid failure. The big rocks first principle works, but there are problems with the analogy. For authors, it is essential to decide what your big rocks are to avoid failure.  Links: WritingPursuits.com Instagram : @WritingPursuitsPodcast KathreseMcKee...

The unreliable narrator is a tool every writer needs to have in their toolbelt. What are unreliable narrators, what categories do they fall in, and how do you write them? Links: WritingPursuits.com Instagram : @WritingPursuitsPodcast Writing Pursuits Author Community WordMarkerEdits.com KathreseMcKee.com Mailerlite (affiliate link)

Reducing friction is one of the most overlooked keys to getting things done. For the author, friction can come in many forms, but there are ways to reduce or eliminate friction and get the work started!  Links: WritingPursuits.com Instagram : @WritingPursuitsPodcast Writing Pursuits Author Community WordMarkerEdits.com KathreseMcKee.com Mailerlite (affiliate link) Other links from episode: Le...

Show Notes If you can get good at self-editing, you will save money by making it easier and thus less expensive for your editor to do their job.  Today, I’m going to give an overview of a process any author can use to save time. You can save yourself from making twenty passes through your manuscript. Links: WritingPursuits.com Instagram : @WritingPursuitsPodcast Writing Pursuits Author Commun...

Is writing a series for you? Or are standalone books better for you? Why would you choose to write a series? What are the pros and cons? Links : WritingPursuits.com Instagram : @WritingPursuitsPodcast Writing Pursuits Author Community WordMarkerEdits.com KathreseMcKee.com Mailerlite (affiliate link) Guests’s Links: ChrisFoxWrites.com

Links: WritingPursuits.com Instagram : @WritingPursuitsPodcast Writing Pursuits Author Community WordMarkerEdits.com KathreseMcKee.com Mailerlite (affiliate link) Guests’s Links: HLBurkeauthor.com FellowshipofFantasy.com Instagram for H. L. Burke: @BurkesDragons

Grinding to a halt during a writing project is a given. You get to a point in a book, an article, or your author newsletter, and you feel as though you just. Can’t.. Go. On. I’ve been there, and so have you. But the point is to somehow—SOMEHOW—get back in the zone. Here are ten ways to reset. Links: WritingPursuits.com Instagram : @WritingPursuitsPodcast Writing Pursuits Author Community WordMarke...

When you are planning your novel, how do you decide whose point of view to tell it from? If your novel has two protagonists, how do you decide which one gets the scene--Character A or Character B? Do you choose one, two, or more points of view? Today, we have covered: Types of Point of View  Examples Answers to the questions: When you are planning your novel, how do you decide whose point of...

Interview with Linda Kozar Today, we feature a lively interview with Selah Award winner, Linda Kozar, who writes cozy mysteries and devotionals. But don’t hem her in; Linda enjoys coloring outside the lines. Find all of her books and her podcast information at LindaKozar.com . Links: WritingPursuits.com Instagram : @WritingPursuitsPodcast Writing Pursuits Author Community WordMarkerEdits.com Kathr...

What you will learn: Best practices for safeguarding your manuscript from loss and destruction. How to adequately back up your manuscript and other working documents. Version control and redundancy How to build logical file structure Virus Protection Password management Resources: Ashlynn Carter of Ashlynn Writes: “A How-to Guide for GoogleDrive File Organization: The Exact System I Use,” https://...

Do you know who your readers are? How do you identify your audience, and how can you connect? In this episode, we discuss: How to identify your ideal readers. Ways to learn about them, and How to connect with readers before and after you publish your book. Resource: Free, Printable Avatar Worksheet PDF Links: WritingPursuits.com Instagram : @WritingPursuitsPodcast Writing Pursuits Author Community...

What you'll learn: How to recognize impostor syndrome? When to expect it. The need to accept it. How to push past it. Links: WritingPursuits.com Instagram : @WritingPursuitsPodcast Writing Pursuits Author Community WordMarkerEdits.com KathreseMcKee.com Mailerlite (affiliate link)

Thanks for giving Writing Pursuits a chance.  This is the trailer for the show in which we will test the intro, describe the program to come, and test the outro.  Thanks again for listening.  Welcome to the Writing Pursuits podcast where authors like you discuss writing craft, author life, and book marketing strategies.  I'm your host, Kathrese McKee.  I own Word...