In this episode, I talk to novelist Noël Stark about her journey from working in film and TV to crafting her first romance novel, 'Love, Camera, Action'.

We discuss the unique challenges of novel writing, the importance of character development, and the emotional landscapes that drive romance narratives.

And Noël shares insights on the writing process, the significance of chapter endings, and the evolving themes in romance literature, particularly the necessity of self-discovery before falling in love.

In this episode, I'll look at the importance of precision in fiction writing, providing practical tips on tightening scenes, enhancing emotional depth, and avoiding unnecessary repetition. I'll cover techniques such as entering late and leaving early, replacing vague summaries with specific details, and using dialogue intentionally to reveal character dynamics.

In this episode, Shara Moon discusses her new book 'Let Us March On', which tells the story of Lizzie McDuffie, an influential yet often overlooked figure in American history. Shara shares her journey of researching and writing the book, the challenges of balancing fact and fiction, and the importance of telling Lizzie's story in today's context. The discussion also touches on themes of activism, the role of women in history, and the significance of addressing difficult topics such as racial injustice. In this conversation, Shara Moon discusses the political shifts within the Black community during FDR's presidency, the challenges of writing historical fiction, and the importance of balancing fact with creative storytelling. She shares insights on the editing process, the transition from memoir to historical fiction, and her personal connection to Lizzie herself.

Join me for a fascinating conversation with Dumbify founder David Carson, where we dive into the power of so-called “dumb” ideas—and why they might just be the secret to creative brilliance.

We’ll explore how absurdity, humour, and playfulness can fuel innovation in storytelling, the mental models that help spot good dumb ideas, and how embracing the unconventional can lead to surprising breakthroughs. Plus, we’ll touch on bold marketing strategies, the future of creative writing, and why curiosity is the ultimate creative superpower.

Get ready to rethink what makes an idea truly smart!

Visit David at his website! https://www.david-carson.com/

In this conversation, filmmaker Christian Schu shares his journey from the insurance industry to becoming a self-taught filmmaker. He discusses the importance of embracing one's creative identity, the leap of faith required to pursue storytelling in any form, and the significance of storytelling in commercial projects. Christian emphasises understanding the target audience and crafting narratives that resonate emotionally. He also explores techniques for effective storytelling, the distinction between character and characterisation, and the emotional connections that can be made through film and writing.

In this episode, we'll discuss the common struggles writers face when nearing the completion of their first draft. We'll address the pressures of perfectionism, fear of judgment, and loss of momentum, providing insights and strategies to help writers overcome these challenges, emphasising the importance of finishing a draft, the value of feedback, and the need to reconnect with the joy of storytelling. I'll offer some practical questions and approaches to support writers in their journey towards completion.

In this episode, we'll discusses the importance of self-kindness and the reasons why one might choose not to write a book in the current year. We'll emphasise the need to assess personal circumstances, motivations, and life priorities before committing to such a significant endeavour. By allowing oneself the grace to pause, writers can reduce stress, reflect on their ideas, and ultimately approach writing with renewed energy and focus when the time is right.

In this episode, I explore the challenges of "shiny object syndrome", particularly in the context of creative projects. I share my personal experience of being drawn to a new play commission while nearing completion of my novella. I'll delve into the psychological aspects of creativity, the allure of new projects, and practical strategies to maintain focus and commitment to ongoing work, emphasising the importance of self-regulation, intrinsic motivation, and delayed gratification in overcoming distractions and achieving long-term creative goals.

It was great to be interviewed by Sara Gentry about creating characters!

We delve into the significance of character backstory in storytelling, distinguishing between world backstory and character backstory - and emphasising the importance of understanding a character's history to make them relatable and believable.

We talk about how backstory influences character decisions, the necessity of managing multiple characters, and the concept of "minimum viable backstory".

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Character and Backstory

01:22Understanding Backstory: World vs. Character

04:54 The Importance of Backstory in Storytelling

08:36 Character Consistency and Relatability

13:21 Managing Character Backstories in Complex Narratives

21:47 The Minimum Viable Backstory for Characters

In this conversation, Jennie Nash and I delve into the intricacies of fiction writing, focusing on the Blueprint for a Book and the limitations of traditional beat sheets. We discuss the importance of understanding a writer's intent, the emotional connection with readers, and the role of creativity within constraints. Jennie shares her insights on the Inside Outline, a tool designed to help writers explore their stories from the inside out, ensuring that every plot point is tied to an emotional reason. The discussion emphasises the need for writers to connect with their material and their audience, ultimately aiming to create impactful stories.

For a FREE copy of Blueprint for a Book, click HERE.