The term "pantser" has been used to describe writing a book without an outline. At writers conferences, outlining and "pantsing" (also known as discovery writing) are often framed as rivals. However, most writers fall between the two extremes.

I've seen successful authors across that spectrum. What truly matters is finding the method that works best for you.

While there are countless books on outlining, there are very few on discovery writing. So how do you learn to "write by the seat of your pants"?

In this month's episode, I interviewed bestselling author Steven James, who shared his secrets for discovery writing—the art of writing "by the seat of your pants" while creating gripping stories.

He shared

✔️ Four questions that can solve any plot problem

✔️ What truly drives a great story to a satisfying ending

✔️ How to use pivots to surprise and satisfy your readers

If you've ever struggled with outlining or wondered if  "pantsing" could work for you, this episode will give you the guidance and courage to give it a try. Listen in or read the blog version to learn more.

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Have you ever started a book but struggled to get past the first few chapters? Or maybe you finished one, only to feel let down by the ending? The truth is, beginnings and endings can make or break a novel.
In this week’s episode, I sit down with Christy Award-winning author Angela Hunt to unpack what makes a strong opening that hooks readers and a satisfying ending that keeps them talking.
We’ll cover:
How to craft an opening that keeps readers turning pages
The secret to endings that spark word-of-mouth recommendations
Common mistakes that weaken your novel’s impact
If you want to grab your reader’s attention from page one and leave them with an unforgettable conclusion, listen in or read the blog version.

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Have you ever dreamed of writing a novel but don’t know where to start? Maybe you've tried before, but the story just didn’t come together—or you’re staring at a blank page, unsure of what to do next.
In our latest episode, we’re talking to Steve Laube, seasoned literary agent and co-author of Write Your First Novel. Steve shares actionable advice on:

• Creating characters your readers will love.
• Crafting a plot that keeps readers hooked.
• Overcoming fear and embracing the writing process.

You’ll also learn the key to writing boldly and how to avoid common pitfalls that hold writers back.
If you’re ready to finally start your novel (and finish it!), listen in or read the blog version.

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Imposter syndrome sometimes tells you the truth.Sometimes, you really do need to get better at the task in front of you to succeed. Many gurus will tell you that you already have everything you need. You just need to pay them money so you can be successful. But in the real world, success requires the hard work of improving your craft. Now, it's true, sometimes imposter syndrome lies, but deep down, you know you can improve.But how do you know where you need to improve? And once you find out, how do you get better?In this week's episode, you'll hear from Brad Pauquette about structuring a novel and improving your craft. He's a 15-year industry veteran who's helped hundreds of authors write and publish their best work, hit bestseller lists, and win awards. He's also the author of The Novel Matrix: The Complete Novel Writing Guide.You'll learn
·      Three phases of improving your craft
·      What feedback to implement or ignore
·      How to ensure your writing is accurate and believableListen in or read the blog and discover insights on balancing creativity with structure, interpreting feedback wisely, and staying true to your Christian values by continually inviting the Holy Spirit into your work.

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In college, I took a class on entrepreneurship, where our big project was to write a business plan. That same semester, I was also working on a book proposal, and I realized that book proposals are business plans.
Fundamentally, they serve the same purpose. A business plan helps you convince investors to invest in your business, and a book proposal helps you convince publishing companies to invest in your book.
To be traditionally published, you need to think like an entrepreneur and to be independently published, you need to be an entrepreneur.
In this week's episode, we'll hear from Kara Swanson. She's a successful fantasy author, entrepreneur, and the co-founder of The Author Conservatory, an online college alternative for aspiring writers.
You'll learn how to
·      Build a financially sustainable writing career
·      Build your skillset for marketing your book
·      Build a schedule that balances creativity and business
Listen in or check out the blog and learn how to become an author entrepreneur by leveraging transferrable business skills to build a sustainable writing career.

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I'm excited to announce that tickets are now for sale for the 2025 Novel Marketing Conference. The conference will be held in Austin, Texas, on January 17th and 18th. This event is not a typical writer's conference where you learn how to write and publish a book. Our conference is focused on book marketing, and our goal is to help you make 2025 the best year of your author career so far!
In this episode, you'll find out
·      Three special ingredients that make the Novel Marketing Conference unique
·      How this year's conference will differ from last year's
·      Why we've made certain deliberate choices for this year's conference
Listen in or check out the blog version of this episode to get details about the 2025 Novel Marketing Conference.

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You've likely heard the advice that writers should show instead of tell. Sometimes, it's good advice and can make your scenes better and your story more compelling. But it can also be terrible advice that will make your book unbelievably long and hard to get through.
If you show every single thing in the room or on the journey where your story takes place, then the plot, characters, and even the dialogue get crowded out.
But how do you know when you should and shouldn't show?
In this month's episode, Angela Hunt lays out some guidelines on when showing improves your story and when it doesn't. You'll learn:

• When showing has the most impact
• When telling is actually useful
• Where writers are often tempted to tell when they should show

Listen in or check out the blog version of this episode to find out when you can break the rule of "Show, don't tell."

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Stories communicate truth in ways that facts and statistics cannot. They touch places in our souls that sermons cannot reach. When you open your Bible, the very first thing you find is not the Ten Commandments but a story. Even biblical instruction is often couched in a story because a story is a powerful tool for communicating truth.
God knows that. He created in us a desire for story.
Christian authors can leverage story to communicate truth, but sometimes, whether by mistake or on purpose, we communicate lies.
In this month’s episode, author and podcaster Zackary Russell and I discuss the four laws of Christian storytelling. You’ll discover:

• What makes a story glorifying to God
• How we may inadvertently communicate lies in our stories
• Whether Christian storytelling is evangelism or not

The gift of storytelling must be stewarded and taken seriously. Listen in or check out the blog version of this episode to discover four laws to govern your Christian storytelling that will ensure you glorify God and communicate truth and love to your readers.

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Discover what makes a romance novel appeal to a Christian readership and how you can write Christian romance books your readers will love.

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Some authors just want to get their book "out there." They don't plan on writing additional books or becoming professionals. But others want to make writing a career and maybe pay the bills with income earned from their writing.
If you want to have a career as a professional writer, you have to do at least two things.
First, you must become an amazing writer. Second, you need to start acting like a business owner. Regardless of whether you're independently or traditionally published, you'll need to keep track of finances, payments, taxes, marketing, and a lot more.
You must be willing to wear their business hats to be considered professionals.
If that sounds overwhelming, this week's episode will provide some relief and direction. In my interview with Angela Hunt, you'll learn:

• What upfront and ongoing costs an author should plan for
• A bare-bones method for tracking your business income and expenses
• A Thomas-approved method for getting free feedback
• And much more

If you want to make a career out of your writing and pay bills with the income you earn, listen in or check out the blog post version of this episode to learn how.

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