Helping Writers Become Authors

Ep. 246: Want to Know More About the Structure of Your Favorite Books and Movies? Announcing the Story Structure Database! 15.03.2015 8:41 ↓

Today, I'm excited to put an end to the guessing about the "Big Secret" and unveil a new resource for authors. The official Story Structure Database.

Ep. 245: For Writers on the Verge of Writing Spectacularly Complex Characters 08.03.2015 8:52 ↓

The ironic thing about about complex characters in fiction is that the essence of what makes them so wonderfully complicated is actually incredibly simple.

Ep. 244: Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 39: Referencing Characters by Title Rather Than Name 01.03.2015 9:55 ↓

In the time it takes to write two words, you might distance readers from your narrative. Luckily, this one of our common writing mistakes is an easy fix.

Ep. 243: Do You Know the 6 Must-Have Elements of a "Wow" Story Premise? 22.02.2015 9:25 ↓

Discover how a good story premise can help you eliminate structural weaknesses and create a valuable tool for outlining and pitching your novel.

Ep. 242: The Crucial Way to Figure Out How Much Time Your Story Should Cover 15.02.2015 10:27 ↓

The length of the timeline is an important factor in any story. Take a moment to consider just how much time your story should cover.

Ep. 241: The 5 Secrets of Choosing the Right Setting for Your Story's Climax 08.02.2015 10:34 ↓

What makes a great climactic setting? Consider five important techniques for making the most of the setting in your story's climax.

Ep. 240: Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 38: Irrelevant Book Endings 01.02.2015 8:27 ↓

One of the easiest writing mistakes to fall into in your book endings is actually one that has much to do with book beginnings--and, indeed, the entirety of your book.

Ep. 239: The Lazy Author's Way to Identify and Overcome Writing Weaknesses 25.01.2015 11:11 ↓

Go beyond the vague sense that's something wrong with your story and use these five tips to figure out what your writing weaknesses are.

Ep. 238: Get Rid of On-the-Nose Dialogue Once and For All 18.01.2015 11:30 ↓

If you can identify on-the-nose dialogue and learn how to replace it with rich undercurrents of subtext, you're on your way to becoming a master author.

Ep. 273: Most Common Writing Mistakes, Pt. 37: Unnecessary Filler 04.01.2015 7:46 ↓

As we continue to discuss the most common writing mistakes, we'd be remiss to leave out the all-too-prevalent faux pas of unnecessary filler or padding.

Ep. 275: How to Pitch Your Novel: What's the Difference Between Your Story's Hook and Your Story's Heart? 28.12.2014 12:07 ↓

When figuring out how to pitch your novel, you may realize your story's hook and its heart might not be compatible within such a short description.