Writing Roots

Picking the right name for a book is about more than what sounds good to you or what feels right for the story. It is important to look at the title as part of your marketing. Along with the cover, titles will draw in the readers at first glance. And because it’s part of marketing, you need to consider what that title says about the rest of the book, including genre and general mood. Original epis...

Choreography is usually something you think of in relation to plays and movies. As authors, however, having appropriate choreography as your characters move through a scene is just as important. After all, you’re creating a movie of sorts in the minds of your readers. All you’ll do is create confusion if characters hop from one spot to another or do seemingly impossible moves. In this extended epi...

The last few pages of a book are what’s known as the denouement or falling action. This is where your main plot gets tied into a neat bow and the characters settle into the new world order. Of course, it doesn’t mean it’s a happily ever after ending, or that there aren’t footholds for the future. First aired June 29, 2023.

The final act is where everything comes together. The main character’s arc reaches its breaking points, and then they succeed. A lot goes into this final piece of the story, from the footholds you’ve created through the story to that comparison of where the character started and ended. Listen to this episode for more on how to write the completion of the interior plot of your story. First aired Ju...

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is a hot topic in the world today. From funny TikTok filters to a partial cause for the WGA strike, AI is becoming a larger part of our daily lives and, in particular, creativity. It’s hard to deny there are benefits to technology advancing as it has with AI. It has made reading and writing vastly more accessible with its improved accuracy. However, there has to be...

Everything you’ve been writing has built to this moment. While Act I draws the reader in and Act II keeps them around, Act III is where their perceptions, good or bad, are solidified. When you’re building the final act, you have to consider the footholds you’ve placed throughout the story and the questions you’ve left unanswered. Now is the time to resolve any linking to the main plot. In this epi...

Most of a character’s growth will happen during act two. This is where they face the most challenges, have opportunity to doubt the lie they believe about themselves, and really make those lasting bonds with their team. It’s also the time that ends with their darkest hour. While many of us struggle to know how to fill the middle of the book, keeping in mind how your character needs to grow will he...

The halfway point is an often overlook key moment in stories and story creation. Yet it is vital for the character arc and the plot as a whole. It’s the turning point when the characters begin to take control of their own path and become actors rather than reactors. In this episode, we break down this midpoint, how to build to it and how to continue after. First aired June 15, 2023.

Act II is where everything happens. It’s when the characters go through the necessary challenges to learn, grow, and change. It’s when the villain accumulates the power they need to accomplish their goals. Yet, for many authors, writing Act II is one of the most difficult steps in creating that first draft. Looking at the exterior plot – that external conflict between your protagonists and antagon...

The first act is a key piece in establishing your character. It’s during this time that you need to show who they are, what they want, and what they believe about themselves and the world. The most growth for the character through the story will happen because of the internal struggle you create for them at this point. In this episode, we take a look at how to craft the beginning interior plot for...

Plots often have two aspects: interior and exterior. The exterior part is often the main conflict with a villain or antagonist of some kind. In most kinds of fictional stories, the exterior plot will be the focus, especially near the beginning as we are getting introduced to the characters. It’s the exterior plot that holds the hook and inciting incident. In this episode, we break down what happen...

We are on to our third pillar of storytelling: plot. Even pantsers need to have a plot to their story. But what is a plot? What happens when? Throughout this series, we’ll look at the plot in the three act structure, breaking down the steps along the way so you can apply it to whichever structure you’re using. Some things in your story happen before the first chapter even begins. There’s a whole h...

Not all characters have to have a speaking role to be influential to the plot. One type of character you may consider is an inanimate object. These can have some external influence, such as The One Ring, or simply exist as a comedic relief. Listen to this episode for a breakdown of how to use objects as characters, their common tropes and roles, and why it can help in your storytelling process. Fi...

Each character needs both successes and failure. This is important especially for your main protagonist(s). They need to struggle, to fight, but they also need the occasional spot of hope that helps them continue on. In this bonus episode, we talk about how to create successes and failures for your characters whether you’re a plotter or pantser. First aired May 27, 2023.

The Greek Chorus is a character type most often used, but least often recognized outright. In a few examples, such as Disney’s Hercules, the Greek Chorus is literal. In others, this type of character is melded with another character type. What you as the author needs to know, is that this character is essential in helping your reader understand what’s happening. Whether they’re asking questions th...

A society can be its own kind of character within a story, designed to be the support system for the main character. It can be the team for a heist, the organization of magic users, an underground network, or a leadership council. Whatever role they play within the structure of the world, there are a few things you should know about the typical role of the society that will help you develop one fo...

Bad guys need helpers. These can be characters to help carry out their plan, to be roadblocks for the protagonist, or even to be the comedic relief . There are many uses for the Villain’s Chorus. Like the Greek Chorus, these are usually secondary and tertiary characters. They fill the ranks and help the antagonist appear to have power and control, even if it’s simply one character. They aren’t lim...

Even if you’re telling a grim story, having a character to fulfil the role of comedic relief can go a long way in holding your readers. This character breaks tension, is usually likeable, and serves the story in a unique way. In this episode, we talk about common tropes and uses for the comedic relief to help you as you craft the perfect cast of characters. First aired May 15, 2023.

In the process of crafting a story, you may find that you need a character that will turn the tides. Not your main character or maybe not even one of their crew. What you need is a secret ingredient that for one reason or another helps tip the scales. This can be a character whose ability was thought useless, or a mistreated helper to the villain. The secret ingredient character plays an essential...

You will find in most stories that the main character is surrounded by a supporting cast. These secondary characters often fill specific roles as they help the main character progress through the story. They cheer on the hero, provide key knowledge and skills to the team, and are often the source of much-needed comedic relief. Listen to this episode for more on the common tropes, traits, and arche...

Even if you aren’t telling a Hero’s Journey story, you may have a mentor in your cast. They don’t have to be the wizened old person who lives as a hermit. They can simply be a friend or family member who helps guide the character through their trials. In this episode, we talk about what makes a mentor and how their story can grow without interfering with the main character’s arc. First aired May 4...

This month, we are covering the second of the three pillars of storytelling: characters. Without characters, there is no story. But it’s more than simply the hero and the villain. There is a whole cast of characters who can help you build a story that will draw readers in and keep them interested in the outcome. Our first focus will be on the trusty sidekick. This is an essential piece of support...

Part of your job in worldbuilding is knowing when to stop. Knowing when you don’t actually need to give the information to the readers, or even know it yourself. Knowing when to not worldbuild applies no matter what kind of writer you are. There are a few theories to help you decide what you need to know and what actually needs to go onto the page. We take a closer look at these, as well as give y...

This is our 400th episode! Thank you to all of our followers and supporters for helping us make it this long talking about writing. The concept of a multiverse is incredibly popular in today’s media. From big names like Marvel to smaller stories that explore extra dimensional concepts, there seems to be plenty of room to play in this particular genre of worldbuilding. Listen to this episode for a...

When you build your world, you also need to consider how the reader will understand what you’ve created. If you throw a bunch of new words at them with little to no explanation, they get lost. If all you are doing is explain, they get bored. In this episode, we talk about the best ways to make your world accessible to the reader, from making sure you minimize made-up terms to finding ways to conne...