Is your writing polished but still not hitting with the emotional punch you want? Do your scenes look great on the surface… but readers don’t lean in, don’t feel connected, and don’t feel compelled to turn the page?

You’re not alone. I’ve read thousands of opening pages from talented writers who have gorgeous prose, solid craft, and thoughtful worldbuilding. But something still feels a little flat. Competent, but not electric. Beautiful, but not alive.

The missing ingredient is almost always the same: interiority.

In this solo episode, I break down what interiority actually is, why it is the most important element of your novel, and how to use it to create characters readers feel bonded to from page one.

You’ll learn:

✨ What interiority really is and why it is more essential than plot or character arc
 ✨ Why readers need both your protagonist’s emotions and their interpretation of events
✨ The difference between dry narration and interiority-rich writing (with examples from Suzanne Collins and Rebecca Yarros)
✨ The first major Pillar of Interiority: Intellectual and Emotional Processing
✨ How to use therapist-style questions to deepen your protagonist’s internal world
✨ A simple technique to place interiority on the page so it feels seamless, natural, and woven directly into the story
✨ How external action and internal processing work together to hook readers and agents from the very first page

If your scenes feel distant, flat, or like something important is missing, this episode will teach you how to bring your protagonist’s mind onto the page in a way that feels organic, alive, and completely unputdownable.

Grab the free Interiority Workbook (examples, graphics, and guiding questions) in the show notes.

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

Support the show

Self-publishing can feel overwhelming, confusing, and expensive… but it doesn’t have to stay that way.

In this episode, I sit down with publisher, book coach, and summit host Alexa Bigwarfe (founder and CEO of Write|Publish|Sell and the Women in Publishing Summit) to break down your publishing options and demystify what it really takes to self-publish like a pro. You’ll learn how to choose the right path for your book, where to invest your money, and how to start thinking like an author–entrepreneur instead of “just” a writer with a dream.

We’ll talk about:
 ✨ The real differences between traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing (and who each path serves best)
 ✨ Why self-publishing is not the “free” option and the core investments you need to plan for
✨ The non-negotiables for a professional book: editing, cover design, formatting, and more
✨ How knowing your genre (and your reader) shapes everything from your story beats to your marketing
✨ What “author platform” actually means and why your email list matters more than any social feed
✨ Simple ways to start building an audience before your book is finished, even if you feel “brand new”
✨ How to approach self-publishing like a long game, including realistic timelines and expectations
✨ When a pen name or hybrid press might make sense for your goals and how to avoid predatory vanity presses

By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of your publishing options and a practical roadmap for treating your book like the powerful, long-term asset it can be, instead of a one-and-done passion project.

Grab Alexa’s free Publishing Pathways & Distribution Guide HERE.

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

Support the show

Writing with ADHD can feel like chaos — but it doesn’t have to.

In this episode, I sit down with book coach and author Nicole Bross to explore brain-friendly strategies that help neurodiverse writers focus, follow through, and finally finish their drafts. You’ll learn how to design a writing process that fits your brain instead of fighting against it.

We’ll talk about:
 ✨ Why persistence matters more than consistency for ADHD writers
 ✨ How to outline without killing your creativity
✨ Simple ways to handle distractions and idea overwhelm
✨ What to do when perfectionism or fear of failure creeps in
✨ How to embrace messy first drafts and make revision the fun part
✨ Nicole’s free writing habit tracker that turns progress into motivation

By the end, you’ll have a gentler, more sustainable way to write — one that honors how your brain actually works and helps you bring your stories to life with less struggle and more joy.

Grab Nicole’s Writing Habit Tracker — a spreadsheet that tracks your daily word count, changes color when you hit your target, and turns habit-building into a visual game.

Pick up a copy of Nicole's bestselling book A Novel Approach: Strategies for ADHD Writers HERE. 

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

Support the show

Feedback can transform your writing — or completely derail your confidence — depending on how you understand it.

In this episode, Heather breaks down the four types of writing feedback every author needs to know (and only one that truly helps you improve). You’ll learn how to tell the difference between feedback that leaves you spinning your wheels and feedback that actually moves your story — and your skills — forward.

We’ll talk about:
✨ Why “positive” and “negative” feedback aren’t helpful labels
✨ The difference between praise, growth, general, and specific feedback
✨ The single quadrant of feedback that will supercharge your development as a writer
✨ How to stop fearing critique and start using it to become a stronger storyteller

By the end, you’ll know exactly what kind of feedback to ask for (and give!) so you can connect more deeply with your story — and your readers.

💌 Want a visual of the four feedback types? Grab the feedback graphic HERE!

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

Support the show

Is your story built on a rock-solid foundation—or is it wobbling under the weight of weak structure, thin characters, or unclear purpose? In this episode of Speculative Fiction Made Simple, I break down the four essential elements every novel must have to truly resonate with readers, hook agents, and stand out in today’s crowded market.

💡 Spoiler: These are totally learnable skills you can start applying right now.

You will learn:

• Why clarifying your novel’s point is the single most important step in your storytelling process
• How to design a protagonist with depth, conflict, and a powerful character arc
• What kind of worldbuilding actually matters (and what you can safely skip)
• How to structure your plot so every beat drives transformation and delivers on your story’s promise

If your novel feels shaky or stuck, this episode will give you the blueprint to shore it up and move forward with confidence.

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

Support the show

 👉 Click here to grab your free ticket to the WorldShift: Speculative Fiction Writers’ Summit and hear Lisa Cron’s summit presentation—plus 30+ other craft-deep sessions from top speculative fiction coaches, authors, and industry pros. 

Most of what you’ve been taught about writing is wrong. At least, that’s what bestselling author and story coach Lisa Cron (📚 Wired for Story, Story Genius, Story or Die) believes—and she’s here to prove it.

In this deep, no-fluff conversation, Lisa and I dismantle some of the most damaging writing myths that keep authors stuck—like “backstory should be used sparingly,” “don’t tell us what your character’s thinking,” and “hold back information for a big reveal.” We dig into why these “rules” are not only misguided but can actually drain the emotional power from your story.

You’ll learn:

• Why emotion—not plot—is the true driver of story
• How to build a novel from the inside out (and why starting with plot is a trap)
• The truth about backstory (and why it belongs on every page)
• How to craft characters whose internal struggles keep readers hooked
• The one question you must answer before you write a single scene

If you’ve ever felt confused, stuck, or frustrated by conflicting writing advice, this episode will give you clarity, permission, and a fresh, brain-science-backed approach to storytelling that works.

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

Support the show

 👉 Click here to grab your free ticket to the WorldShift: Speculative Fiction Writers’ Summit and hear Alex Temblador’s summit presentation—plus 30+ other craft-deep sessions from top speculative fiction coaches, authors, and industry pros. 

Worried you’ll get it wrong when writing a character whose identity isn’t your own—and that you’ll hurt someone, face backlash, or be told you shouldn’t even try? But at the same time, you know that leaving out marginalized identities doesn’t feel right either—especially when you’re building entire worlds from scratch?

You’re not alone. And this episode is for you.

In this powerful, honest conversation, I sit down with the brilliant Alex Temblador—award-winning author of Writing an Identity Not Your Own, Half Outlaw, and Secrets of the Casa Rosada—to talk about how speculative fiction writers can represent identities outside their own with more care, confidence, and nuance.

We get into: 

• What most writers get wrong (even with good intentions) 
• The difference between writing and editing identities 
• How to spot unconscious bias and avoid coded stereotypes 
• Why worldbuilding always reflects our world—and what to do about it 
• Plus: her haunted house story (yes, really)

If you’ve ever wondered how to get representation right without falling into fear, tokenism, or tired tropes, this episode will change the way you write—and revise—forever.

Spoiler: You can do this. And Alex shows you how.

 
$40 off "Writing An Identity Not Your Own: For Fantasy & Sci-Fi Writers" with promo code SPECFIC

Sign up here 👉 https://www.alextemblador.com/courses

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

Support the show

So many writers dream of getting a traditional book deal—but the process to get there can feel confusing, overwhelming, and totally out of reach.

In this episode, I’m giving you a bird’s-eye view of the entire traditional publishing journey—from that first spark of a novel idea to the moment you finally see your book on the shelf.

 We’ll talk about what really goes into landing a literary agent, what happens once you’ve signed with one, and why it’s never too early to start thinking like a published author.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✨ What traditional publishing actually looks like (and why it takes years—not months).
✨ The 15-step journey from novel idea to bookstore shelf.
✨ How a book coach, critique group, or developmental editor fits into the process.
✨ Why you should start thinking about querying before your novel is even finished.
✨ How to handle rejection without losing momentum—or your mind.

 Whether you're just starting your novel or you're already on your second revision, this episode will help you understand the traditional publishing path so you can walk it with confidence.

Get The Infographic:📚Are you more of a visual person? I totally get it. That's why I created this handy infographic! Join my email list and snag it for free! 

Program Clarity Chat 🎉🚀 Are you curious whether private book coaching or group book coaching might be right for you? Please click here to sign up for a FREE chat! 

Join Momentum Writing Sprints! ✍️🏃🏽‍♀️😎Come write with us for FREE every Saturday from 11 am  to 12 pm ET! 

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

Support the show

How do you write an ending so compelling that readers not only finish your book but immediately tell their friends, “You HAVE to read this”?

Well, that’s a big question—but one thing’s for sure: a strong story structure is essential.

In this episode, we’re tackling Act 3 of the Save the Cat story structure framework. I’ll break down how to craft a climactic, unforgettable ending—one that surprises readers, leaves them deeply satisfied, and makes them eager to grab your next book.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✨ What makes The Break Into Three the turning point that propels your protagonist into the final act.
✨ How to build a powerful, high-stakes finale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
✨ The five essential beats of a strong, emotionally satisfying ending.
✨ Why the Final Image is the key to making your story feel complete—and how to craft one that lingers in readers’ minds.

If you want to write an ending that sticks with your readers long after they turn the last page, this episode is for you.

Get the Act 3 Workbook:📚 Click here to sign up to get the Save the Cat Act 2 Workbook

Get the FULL (Acts 1-3) Workbook:📚 Click here to sign up to get the Save the Cat Act 2 Workbook

Join Momentum Writing Sprints! ✍️🏃🏽‍♀️😎Come write with us for FREE every Saturday from 11 am  to 12 pm ET! 

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

Support the show

Are you sending out queries but only getting form rejections—or worse, no responses at all? Maybe you're receiving personalized rejections that praise your concept but still pass on your book? If you’re struggling to understand why agents aren’t biting, this episode is for you.

In today’s Ask Me Anything Thursday, I’ll break down the biggest reasons novels get rejected—and what you can do to fix them. Whether it’s your query letter, voice, stakes, or character depth, I’ll walk you through practical solutions to help your manuscript stand out.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The two main types of rejection and what they reveal about your query and pages
• Why agents pass on a strong premise and how to make your writing irresistible
• The most common query letter mistakes—and how to fix them
• How to clarify your stakes so agents (and readers) can’t look away
• Why interiority and emotional depth are non-negotiable in today’s market
• And so much more!

Whether you're drafting or deep in the querying trenches, this episode will give you practical strategies to strengthen your manuscript and improve your chances of landing an agent. 

Program Clarity Chat 😎🎉📚🚀 Are you curious whether private book coaching or group book coaching might be right for you? Please click here to sign up for a FREE chat! 

Join Momentum Writing Sprints! ✍️🏃🏽‍♀️😎Come write with us for FREE every Saturday from 11 am  to 12 pm ET! 

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

Support the show