Episodes

If you’re just now deciding to write a book for the first time, but you have no idea how to get started, or even if you’ve already written and published books before, only to receive very few reviews and purchases, then it’s time to ask for help. Just like you would hire an instructor if you decided to become a concert violinist, an author needs someone to show them the basics, guide them through the process of learning, and teach them how to become not just AN author but a SUCCESSFUL author! Th...

Proper pacing is not just a good thing to have in your novel. It’s crucial to your reader’s experience. If the pacing is too slow, the reader will lose interest and get bored. If it’s too fast, they’ll feel like they have whiplash and be frustrated and lost. What we must do instead is find a way to have Goldilocks type pacing! Don’t worry. I’ll explain what that means in this episode. So, tune in and listen as my guest host and I unpack the topic of perfect pacing and discuss ways you can keep y...

One crucial element of a great novel that doesn’t get as much attention as characters, plot, and setting is your timeline. But a coherent, easy to follow timeline is crucial to your reader’s enjoyment of your story. If the timeline is wonky or hard to follow, readers will likely get frustrated, confused, and eventually, they’ll give up and put the book down – something no author ever wants! But how do we create and maintain a proper timeline to avoid this? That’s exactly what we are discussing o...

The setting of your book should be a character in and of itself. It should speak to the reader, showing (not telling) them exactly where the protagonist is at any given moment, and if written properly, it should transport the reader wherever you want them to imagine themselves. But how do we effectively bring our setting to life without info dumping or over describing every detail? On this week’s episode, that’s exactly what we’re discussing! In this episode, you will: · Learn why it’s importa...

One of the first decisions an author must make when they decide on a new story idea is whether they are writing in single, dual, or multiple POV (points of view). And it’s not always that easy deciding, either. Some genres and stories work better with a single perspective, while others work wonderfully with multiple character perspectives. But determining this before you begin writing can help you avoid head hopping and unclear or indistinguishable character voices. This week, we’re discussing h...

Especially in 2021, we all wear and juggle so many different hats, it’s ridiculous. We must constantly switch modes from parent to spouse to employee to boss to chauffer to maid and even teacher. If we want to be writers, that’s yet another hat to juggle. So, how on earth are we supposed to balance all these things and still find time to write, let alone have time to think, plan, and create? The key is to organize and schedule. And those things don’t come as naturally to some as they do others. ...

All great authors know that our entire purpose is to create a story for readers that allows them to escape their everyday lives and be transported to a different time and place. And the only way to ensure we paint pictures that are vivid enough to allow our readers to have a visceral reading experience is to get as many of the details of our story right. The best way to do this is by researching before you write certain things you include in the story. You can definitely do online research, but ...

For most authors, it’s easier to “stay in our lane” and write stories from the perspective of a character who shares our gender identity. It just comes more naturally to most. But sometimes, we need to share the perspective of a character from the opposite sex. And that does not come as naturally. We are afraid of misrepresenting, or worse, offending anyone, which is understandable. But there is a way to walk that fine line between writing stereotypical gender roles and making characters not aut...

Every writer needs a place where they can write in peace and quiet, otherwise, all the noise and distractions can stem the flow of creativity. Of course, it’s not always easy finding a quiet, peaceful space inside your home, especially if you have little ones, live with your parents, or in a dorm or apartment. But where there is a will, there is a way. And this week, I’ve brought the go-to gal when it comes to organization and enhancing your space on the show so we can discuss why you need a sac...

I know I’m not alone when I have moments where I need to be writing…or even WANT to be writing…but inspiration is nowhere to be found. While we all wish inspiration struck us every day the way it did when that idea first hit us like lightning from a clear, blue sky, the reality is, it doesn’t. In fact, often, lack of inspiration is the biggest reason we don’t finish writing when we planned to, and it can even be the real reason behind most cases of “writer’s block.” So, this week, we’re talking ...