“Focus your pre-writing and drafting and revising efforts on the present moment of your story.” - Daniel David Wallace

I asked five of my peers to share one of their favorite writing tips, and boy, did they deliver! Tune in to hear 5 editors and coaches talk about their favorite tip and why it’s so helpful. Here’s a preview of what’s included:

[01:40] Tip #1: Fully embrace scene structure in your storytelling process because the narrative will flow seamlessly from beginning to end.

[06:12] Tip #2: Keep your focus on the forward momentum of your story by avoiding excessive backstory or exposition that might slow down the pacing.

[11:05] Tip #3: Dedicate equal attention to crafting your protagonist's internal journey as you do to advancing the external plot of your story.

[14:48] Tip #4: Make the most of your story's midpoint to steer clear of the often chaotic middle of the second act.

[21:52] Tip #5: If you hit a creative roadblock, assess which perspective you're currently in and try shifting to another viewpoint.

[27:26] It's so easy to overlook the three distinct perspectives—be it that of the author, character, or reader—which only adds unnecessary complexity. I find immense joy in discovering what resonates with others and moves the needle for them, particularly within the writing community. After all, different techniques suit different individuals, and exploring various perspectives from writers, coaches, and editors is invaluable.

Connect with Guests:

Emily Golden Website
Story Magic Podcast
Instagram

Daniel David Wallace Website
Instagram

Nicole Meier Website
Steps to Story Podcast
Instagram

Abigail K. Perry Website
LitMatch Podcast
Instagram

Links Mentioned In This Episode:

• Episode #40: How to Write a Well-Structured Scene
• Episode #99: 5 Mindset Tips to Help You Unlock Your Writing Potential
• Read this episode's blog post here!

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👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

“Usually stakes start personal and they become public. That's a way of raising stakes, regardless of the genre.” - Savannah Gilbo

We’re diving deep into Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins to see how and why it works. Join me and Abigail K. Perry as we break down this first chapter to see how it hooks our interest and pulls us into the story! Here's a preview of what's included: 

[05:22] Chapter summary: This chapter focuses on Katniss, who is navigating life after winning the Hunger Games. There is a suggestion of impending conflict or tension on a larger scale and overall, the story explores themes of survival, resistance against oppressive systems, and the complexities of relationships under duress.

[13:31] Macro analysis, using Paula Munier’s 7 Key Questions: Suzanne Collins expertly lays the groundwork for an engaging and suspenseful story. Readers are likely to feel curiosity, concern, and wonder throughout the chapter. They are curious about the unfolding events, for Katniss's well-being and relationships, and intrigued by the dystopian world.

[35:16] Micro analysis, using Story Grid’s 5 Commandments: Overall, this scene marks a turning point in the protagonist’s journey, throwing her into a more dangerous and complex conflict with President Snow. It sets the stage for the central conflicts of the narrative, particularly Katniss's struggle to navigate her public image and maintain her autonomy in a society ruled by fear and control.

[50:21] Final thoughts: This first chapter emphasizes the character development of Katniss and the intricate layers of stakes and decisions that drive the narrative forward. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the complexity of storytelling and the various paths that can lead to a compelling climax.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Check out the LitMatch Podcast with Abigail Perry here! You can also get in touch with Abigail through her website or on Instagram @abigailkperry.
• The Writer's Guide to Beginnings by Paula Munier
• Story Grid by Shawn Coyne
• Read this episode's blog post here!

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👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

“You, the writer, have a bigger sphere of knowledge. You know more things than the narrator necessarily knows.” - Gabriela Pereira

In today’s episode, I ask Gabriela Pereira of DIY MFA for her thoughts on some of the most commonly asked questions I get about point of view and voice—and she shares some of her favorite tips and strategies for mastering POV and voice in your writing.  Here’s a preview of what’s included:

[1:51] What's Gabriela’s advice for writers trying to choose the "right" point of view for their book?

[05:01] 3 Tips from Gabriela for mastering POV and voice in your writing.

[15:27] Using an omniscient third-person narrator may feel easier than a limited third-person but this isn’t necessarily true. We discuss how to utilize third-party omniscient without feeling dated.  

[21:10] We talk about voice and Gabriela shares why she hates when people say "Find your voice".

[38:20] The takeaway from this conversation is the importance of approaching the editing process systematically. For instance, beginning with the big picture before focusing on minor sentence-level adjustments, ultimately leads to a better editing process. It is valuable to also maintain consistency in voice and POV, making sure that the writer's voice shines through for clarity and coherence of the story.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Gabriela Pereira's Website
• Book: DIY MFA
• Episode #90 How to Choose the Best Point of View for Your Story
• Read this episode's blog post here!

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👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

“It's really important to focus on the big picture story first and not worry about granular details that you can figure out later.” - Savannah Gilbo

Get more done in less time, overcome procrastination, and become a master at time management with these 5 super simple productivity tips that I’ve been using daily for the last 10 years.

Read the blog post here!

Here’s a preview of what’s included:

[01:07] What is productivity and why does it matter?

[04:44] How to time block your days in a way that works for YOU—plus, what this looks like for me (spoiler alert: I’m a night owl so I do my best work at night!).

[10:49] Tips for prioritizing your most important tasks so you don’t get stuck in the weeds doing things that don’t move the needle in terms of finishing your book.

[17:12] Why multitasking is NOT the answer to higher productivity—and a few surprising ways writers multi-task without even realizing it.

[27:26] Cultivating these habits is a gradual process that requires consistent effort. If incorporating all five tips seems overwhelming, experiment with a single tip this week. As you progress, incorporate additional habits and eventually, you'll evolve into a more productive writer.

Links Mentioned In This Episode:

• Story Starter Kit

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👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

“Sometimes it's easy to take feedback to mean that your story's broken when it's not.” - Savannah Gilbo

I’m taking you behind the scenes with me throughout my entire work week! You’ll see how I plan my days, what projects I work on, what I learn from the writers I work with, and so much more!

Read the blog post here!

Here’s a preview of what’s included:

[01:48] Sunday Update - This week will be a mixed bag. I’m taking a 2-day online course from Laura Belgray, who’s sharing a behind-the-scenes look at her most recent book launch. The other fun thing I’m doing is giving a presentation for ProWritingAid’s Romance Writers Week. Also, the third Crescent City book from Sarah J. Maas comes out this week, and I am so excited to read that.

[06:48] Monday Update - Today, there are two big things I need to do: craft some emails for the Women In Publishing Summit, which I'm speaking at in March. The other big thing I'm working on is growing my email list and one of the ways I’m planning to do that is to be a guest on as many other writing podcasts as possible.

[11:08] Tuesday Update - I’m coaching a writer who is working on two stories at once. Working on two projects at once would be hard for most people to handle. However, because this author has two novels in different stages of the process, it allows her to use different parts of her brain on different days.

[16:33] Wednesday Update - The virtual class that Laura Belgray is hosting is about how she launched her book, Tough Titties, and it was awesome. I also have a little bit of a selfish reason for wanting to see what she did because I have a book coming out later this year, and I’m hoping to learn from what Laura did so that I can have a great book launch myself.

[21:03] Thursday Update - It's so easy to second-guess ourselves when it comes to mapping out or outlining our stories. There are so many decisions to be made. If you are a student of my Notes to Novel class, you can submit your loglines for me to review during any of our Q&A calls. If you don't know what a logline is, it’s essentially a 1-2 sentence summary of your story—and you can craft it before you’ve even outlined or written a single word of your book.

[28:57] Friday Update - I am writing a book and it’s an analysis of the first Harry Potter book. It’s a craft book for writers that’s going to dig into the big picture and the small picture to find out why and how this story works so well. This project is something I started 5+ years ago, and it got shelved for various reasons but is now coming back into the spotlight. 

Links Mentioned In This Episode

• Episode #54: How to Test an Idea Before Writing the First Draft
• Episode #94: How to Reveal Your Character’s Inner Life on the Page
• Episode #102: 3 Common Interiority Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
• Waitlist: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Analysis Guide 

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👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

“In stories that feel society dominant, is survival even worth it if you don't have freedom?” - Abigail K. Perry

We’re taking a deep dive into The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins to see how and why it works. Join me and Abigail K. Perry as we break down this first chapter to see how it hooks our interest and pulls us into the story!

Read the blog post here!

Here's a preview of what's included: 

[04:39] Chapter summary: In the opening chapter, the author employs a tight focus on Katniss's perspective, utilizing vivid imagery and carefully chosen details to immerse the reader in the setting.

[08:57] Macro analysis: We use Paula Munier’s 7 Key Questions to highlight the multifaceted nature of the narrative, incorporating elements of action, societal critique, and internal transformation.

[44:16] Micro analysis: We talk through the structure of the scene using The Story Grid’s 5 Commandments. We focus on a specific scene involving Katniss and Gale since it is a well-crafted and impactful part of the narrative, showcasing the author's adept talent to convey character dynamics, conflicts, and thematic depth.

[01:04 ] Final thoughts: Reflecting on this scene, it becomes apparent how it propels the narrative forward and leaves a lasting impact on the characters entwined within it. Ultimately, this initial chapter accomplishes all the essential functions expected of a compelling opening.

Click here to check out the LitMatch Podcast with Abigail Perry! You can also get in touch with Abigail through her website or on Instagram @abigailkperry.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• 5 Mistakes Writers Make in Their Opening Pages
• How to Write a Well-Structured Scene
• A New Workshop For Writers: How to Hook Readers in Your First Five Pages
• Understanding Genre: How to Write Better Stories

Support the show

👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

“The key to making books within a series work is to grow, escalate, and complicate the conflict and stakes from book to book.” - Savannah Gilbo

A good book series allows readers to immerse themselves in a world and stay there. But how do you write a series that works? To start, here are 5 steps to help you start planning your book series.

Read the blog post here!

Here’s a preview of what’s included:

[01:42] Savannah discusses the the three primary categories of book series—static, dynamic, and anthology.

[03:06] The 5 steps to start planning your book series.

[11:48] Analyzing a character's journey across the Hunger Games trilogy.

[14:50] Unpacking Voldemort's grand plot objective versus the specific goals within each book—and the strategic implications.

[21:35] A useful exercise to stimulate plot ideas for your series.

[29:03] A bonus tip for enriching the worldbuilding/setting of your book series.

[32:45]  As you can see, there’s a lot that goes into planning a book series. Don’t expect to have everything figured out in one or two sittings. This is something you’ll need to start and add to over time, so please know that going into this process!

Links Mentioned In This Episode:

• Understanding Genre: How to Write Better Stories
• How to Uncover the Theme of Your Story

Support the show

👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

“ Flat or boring characters who are underdeveloped are never going to light up a scene, no matter how many tricks you pull.” - Savannah Gilbo

If you’re writing romance, the chemistry and tension between your characters can make or break your story. Let’s explore how to create romantic chemistry between two characters in an authentic and compelling way to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Read the blog post here!

Here’s a preview of what’s included:

[01:44] What is chemistry?

[03:01] The first thing we need to do when creating chemistry between two characters is to have fully fleshed-out characters with their own goals, motivations, and inner obstacles.

[03:42] Capitalize on opportunities for opposition and harmony between your characters.

[07:41] The 3 key ingredients of chemistry are vulnerability, desire, and resistance

[09:14] Examples from Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.

[17:51] Writing romantic tension between romantic and non-romantic characters

[22:56]  If you want to master crafting irresistible chemistry and tension, I highly recommend studying your favorite stories. This is the best way to improve your writing. You can ask yourself questions like:

• What do I like about the chemistry and tension between these two characters?
• How did the author play on each character’s vulnerabilities within the relationship?
• What does each character like (or desire) about the other (physically, mentally, and emotionally)?
• How did the author create resistance between the characters? Why do the characters not want the relationship to move forward?
• What can I replicate in my own writing?

And if you need help getting started with your story, check out my FREE Story Starter Kit: 5 Questions To Ask Before You Start Writing. This fillable workbook will help you build out the foundational elements of your story: genre, character, setting, plot, and theme. Grab your free copy here!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• 5 Questions to Help You Write Better Characters
• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

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👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

“Work on being a better writer and work on your craft and the other stuff will follow. As long as you have a great book, marketing comes a lot easier.” - Alexa Bigwarfe

In today’s brand-new episode, I’m sharing a conversation with Alexa Bigwarfe about how writers can overcome the fear of marketing their books and what you can do right now to kickstart your marketing efforts.

Read the blog post here!
 
Here’s a preview of what’s included:

[3:55] Where should new writers market their books?

[05:14] Alexa advises on what to do if you're afraid of marketing your book.

[09:06] How soon should writers start thinking about marketing their books?

[14:16] After writing 14 non-fiction books, what is it like for Alexa to now be in the fiction world?

[22:22] Alexa shares her ideas for marketing the second book of her series.

[35:56] Alexa talks about the Women In Publishing Summit, a virtual conference for authors of all experience levels to learn and connect with others in the industry.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Women In Publishing Summit  
• Alexa's Instagram  

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👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

“When a story doesn't include these key scenes and conventions of its genre, it's just not going to work.” - Savannah Gilbo

Want a framework for your entire story? Learn what readers expect from a story like yours, and then use these obligatory scenes and conventions as a framework to craft a story that works.

Read the blog post here!

Here’s a preview of what’s included:

[03:47] What are obligatory scenes and conventions (and why are they important)?

[06:58] 3 steps to finding the obligatory scenes and conventions for your story's genre.

[10:31] Savannah breaks out most of the required scenes and conventions, which you can download by visiting the blog post for this episode.

[13:58] How to handle the obligatory scenes and conventions of your subplots vs. the main storyline.

[16:51] Final thoughts: If you don’t do the work to understand your genre, you’ll have a hard time getting your books into the hands of readers. And without readers, your story will never be experienced. That’s a terrible thought, right? To avoid this, know your genre and give your readers what they’re expecting in a new and exciting way. Give them the emotional experience they’re looking for, and you’ll earn loyal fans for life.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Ep. 2: Understanding Genre: How to Write Better Stories
• Ep. 95: How to Start Writing Your Sci-Fi or Fantasy Novel
• STORY by Robert Mckee
• The Story Grid by Shawn Coyne

Support the show

👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.