X-Write-Z

Some writers' eyes light up when talking about story structure. Others want to run for the hills. No matter how you feel about structure, all stories have an inherent structure. There's a beginning, a middle, and, eventually, an end. As soon as you go beyond this foundation, though, you'll discover a lot of different methods and formulas for story structure. How do you choose the ri...

What if you could go to a place where everything and everyone around you had the potential to inspire your writing? What if we told you that you’re already there? This week, we’re headed to Ideation Land – a writer’s Candyland!  This week’s episode challenges the idea that inspiration strikes like lightning. We say, get out there and make your own lightning. And have fun while you’re at it! With t...

This week, we’re looking at common mistakes or habits surrounding the portrayal of events in a story. Whether a manuscript has multiple actions smushed into one sentence or entire scenes worth of unnecessary set up and transition, we’ve got some solutions.  P.S. Just because it happened, doesn’t mean you have to tell readers about it.   For all the lessons + tips from this episode in one spot, che...

If we could only show you one thing, we’d love for it to be this: the importance of reducing filter words in your writing.  In this episode, we break down what a filter word is and discuss why it’s worthwhile to cut them + how you can.  Filter words add unnecessary distance between your POV character and your reader, effectively turning intense, emotional, and profound moments into reported, secon...

This week, Anna and Veronica tackle the common mistakes they see (and, yes, have made) in dialogue writing.  Strong dialogue elevates stories, giving us character, voice, conflict, shocking reveals, swoonworthy declarations of love, and more. When it comes time to edit your manuscript or short story, you can use the tips and tricks explored in this episode to refine what your characters say…and ho...

We’re baaaaaack!  To kick off 2026, Veronica and Anna are considering what romance and horror can teach writers of any genre about worldbuilding.  In this episode, we dig into some favorite examples of worldbuilding and discuss how you can apply the same, or similar, techniques to your own writing. For all the lessons from this episode in one spot, check out and download this PDF  ( https://drive....

Are you telling me you built a time machine…out of a DeLorean?! For the last episode of 2025, Anna and Veronica geek out over Back to the Future. Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads! Come along with us to explore what makes Back to the Future so good–and what writers can learn from it.  For all the lessons from this episode in one spot, check out and download this PDF ( https://drive.goo...

This time of year tends to make us feel anxious about wrapping everything up and accomplishing our remaining goals. We don’t need to feel this way, though. Especially when it comes to writing.  In this episode, we invite you to experiment with your writing routine and explore different ways to get into the writing mood/mindset.  For all the tips and tricks from this episode in one spot, check out...

Remember Flat Stanley? We sure do, but we don't want your characters to be like him! Veronica and Anna are back this week to discuss character dimension.  In this episode, we invite you to explore different ways to breathe life and dimension into your characters. We discuss some of our favorite techniques for character development and, of course, look at real world examples from literature. F...

Welcome to the first episode of X-Write-Z hosted by writer-editors, Veronica and Anna! If you want to share in the joy of writing and hone your craft, you’re in the right place.  In this episode, we invite you to explore the significance of first lines in storytelling. We discuss how first lines set the tone for an entire narrative, just as first impressions between people set the tone for a relat...