Send us a text

If you're new to writing, you've probably read the title of this episode and thought, "Oh, great, my scenes need to turn, now." Or perhaps you're not new to writing, heard this term before, and you're thinking, "I don't think so." 

Before you hit the pause, please hear me out.

Value shifts are a great way to ensure that each scene moves the story forward and pulls its weight. I also realise that I'm not the first person to discuss turning a scene or value shifts in the writing space. But I want to assure you that I don't want to add more confusion to the mix or discuss this topic in a way that is overly complicated. That's why I've called this The Beginner's Guide.

In this beginner's guide, I will define the term value shifts or the concept of the turning of a scene, explain how a scene turns, and share non-spoiler-y examples from the mystery and romance genres. Also, I'll show you how to check if your scenes turn and move the story forward. On top of this, I'll demonstrate how to fix a scene that doesn't turn.

Without further ado, let's get into the episode.

Course, Podcasts, Books, and Tools Mentioned

Check Out the Show Notes ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap050/

TAP047, What is a story beat? ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap047/

TAP046, Ending Scenes with Cliffhangers ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap046/

TAP045, The Anatomy of a Scene ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap045/

TAP041, What is a Scene? ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap041/

Story by Robert McKee ⇢ https://amzn.to/49VnLAe *

Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell ⇢ https://amzn.to/3Wcq8eN *

Story Grid by Shawn Coyne ⇢ https://amzn.to/4aZNs3O *

Suggest an Episode Topic ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/request/

Got a burning question that you would love me to answer on the podcast ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/question/

Answers to Questions on Writing from Previous Shows ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/question/faq/

Be on the Podcast | https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/podcast/interview/

Support the show

Connect with me on Social Media
Discord: https://discord.gg/HZX7HZBQUf
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorpreneurpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpreneurpodcast/
X: https://twitter.com/writeradhay
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/authorpreneurpodcast/videos
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/authoradhay/
Merch Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/WriterADHay/shop

* This is a service or product offered by me
** My bookish merchandise store

Send us a text

Today, I'm bringing you my 2024 writing update, and honestly, it's been quite the year. I've got some wins to celebrate, like writing nearly 60,000 more words than last year and finishing two books in a completely new genre. But I've also hit some roadblocks that have left me questioning everything from Facebook ad strategies to whether I should keep writing at all. We're going to dive into my venture into cozy mysteries, my ongoing battle with Google Play Books over mysterious tax certificates, and yes, the frustrating reality of book piracy. Also, I'll share why I've been experimenting with AI translation for a French edition of my work, and how I'm navigating the ever-changing landscape of self-publishing.

Course, Podcasts, Books, and Tools Mentioned

Check Out the Show Notes ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/bts059/

The previous Episode ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap049/

Suggest an Episode Topic ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/request/

Got a burning question that you would love me to answer on the podcast ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/question/

Answers to Questions on Writing from Previous Shows ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/question/faq/

Products I Recommend

Scrivener ⇢ https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=authorpreneurpod *

Grammarly Premium ⇢ https://www.grammarly.com/

Pro Writing Aid ⇢ https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=22911 *

AutoCrit ⇢ https://www.autocrit.com/

Marlow/Authors.ai ⇢ https://authors.ai/marlowe/?awref=rt2q4bq7zq *

Fiverr ⇢ https://www.fiverr.com/

DIVI Theme ⇢ https://www.elegantthemes.com/affiliates/idevaffiliate.php?id=66529 *

Other Useful Links

Looking for an affordable premade book cover? | https://levillainbookcovers.com/shop/ **

Be on the Podcast | https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/podcast/interview/

Host Your Author Website with SiteGround ⇢

Support the show

Connect with me on Social Media
Discord: https://discord.gg/HZX7HZBQUf
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorpreneurpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpreneurpodcast/
X: https://twitter.com/writeradhay
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/authorpreneurpodcast/videos
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/authoradhay/
Merch Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/WriterADHay/shop

* This is a service or product offered by me
** My bookish merchandise store

Send us a text

What can Aristotle teach modern novelists? In this episode, I chat with Douglas Vigliotti about his book Aristotle for Novelists: 14 Timeless Principles on the Art of Story. I loved talking to him about Aristotle for Novelists because it reminded me of my screenwriting roots, and it was nice to look back on my writing journey. Also, I loved his book because it was short enough to read in one sitting, but still contained timeless principles that I could walk away with and apply to my next book. So, if you haven't grabbed your copy, I highly recommend you do. The book is available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook formats.

Course, Podcasts, Books, and Tools Mentioned

Check Out the Show Notes ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap049/

The previous Episode ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap048/

Aristotle For Novelists ⇢ https://douglasvigliotti.com/aristotle-for-novelists

Books For Men Podcast ⇢ https://booksformen.org/

Got a burning question that you would love me to answer on the podcast ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/question/

Answers to Questions on Writing from Previous Shows ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/question/faq/

Products I Recommend

Scrivener ⇢ https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=authorpreneurpod *

Grammarly Premium ⇢ https://www.grammarly.com/

Pro Writing Aid ⇢ https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=22911 *

AutoCrit ⇢ https://www.autocrit.com/

Marlow/Authors.ai ⇢ https://authors.ai/marlowe/?awref=rt2q4bq7zq *

Fiverr ⇢ https://www.fiverr.com/

DIVI Theme ⇢ https://www.elegantthemes.com/affiliates/idevaffiliate.php?id=66529 *

Other Useful Links

Looking for an affordable premade book cover? | https://levillainbookcovers.com/shop/ **

Be on the Podcast | https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/podcast/interview/

Host Your Author Website with SiteGround ⇢

Support the show

Connect with me on Social Media
Discord: https://discord.gg/HZX7HZBQUf
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorpreneurpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpreneurpodcast/
X: https://twitter.com/writeradhay
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/authorpreneurpodcast/videos
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/authoradhay/
Merch Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/WriterADHay/shop

* This is a service or product offered by me
** My bookish merchandise store

Send us a text

In this episode, I chat with Douglas Vigliotti about getting into reading, its hidden benefits and the Books For Men Podcast. Please note that this is the first part of a two-part interview with Doug. In the second part, I discuss his book, Aristotle for Novelists. I felt that this chat about his podcast and reading was long enough to warrant its own episode. Also, I wanted to avoid clickbaiting because this interview is nineteen minutes long, and the second part is around forty-three minutes long. You get it, I erred on the side of caution and created two episodes.

Course, Podcasts, Books, and Tools Mentioned

Check Out the Show Notes ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap048/

The previous Episode ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/bts058/

Books For Men Podcast ⇢ https://booksformen.org/

Aristotle For Novelists ⇢ https://douglasvigliotti.com/aristotle-for-novelists

Got a burning question that you would love me to answer on the podcast ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/question/

Answers to Questions on Writing from Previous Shows ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/question/faq/

Products I Recommend

Scrivener ⇢ https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=authorpreneurpod *

Grammarly Premium ⇢ https://www.grammarly.com/

Pro Writing Aid ⇢ https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=22911 *

AutoCrit ⇢ https://www.autocrit.com/

Marlow/Authors.ai ⇢ https://authors.ai/marlowe/?awref=rt2q4bq7zq *

Fiverr ⇢ https://www.fiverr.com/

DIVI Theme ⇢ https://www.elegantthemes.com/affiliates/idevaffiliate.php?id=66529 *

Other Useful Links

Looking for an affordable premade book cover? | https://levillainbookcovers.com/shop/ **

Be on the Podcast | https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/podcast/interview/

Host Your Author Website with SiteGround ⇢ https://www.siteground.com/go/au

Support the show

Connect with me on Social Media
Discord: https://discord.gg/HZX7HZBQUf
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorpreneurpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpreneurpodcast/
X: https://twitter.com/writeradhay
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/authorpreneurpodcast/videos
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/authoradhay/
Merch Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/WriterADHay/shop

* This is a service or product offered by me
** My bookish merchandise store

Send us a text

Its been a while—fourteen months and a few days to be exact. In this hopefully short, update-style episode, I'll share the decision behind my podcast hiatus, discuss a few non-writing and publishing updates, then share my plans for the upcoming podcast episodes. Also, I'm podcasting during a heat-wave in London, so you might hear Hector my Dyson fan humming away in the background. But hopefully, you're thinking "I don't hear a fan."

Course, Podcasts, Books, and Tools Mentioned

Check Out the Show Notes ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/bts058/

The previous Episode ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap047/

Suggest an Episode Topic ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/request/

Got a burning question that you would love me to answer on the podcast ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/question/

Answers to Questions on Writing from Previous Shows ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/question/faq/

Products I Recommend

Scrivener ⇢ https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=authorpreneurpod *

Grammarly Premium ⇢ https://www.grammarly.com/

Pro Writing Aid ⇢ https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=22911 *

AutoCrit ⇢ https://www.autocrit.com/

Marlow/Authors.ai ⇢ https://authors.ai/marlowe/?awref=rt2q4bq7zq *

Fiverr ⇢ https://www.fiverr.com/

DIVI Theme ⇢ https://www.elegantthemes.com/affiliates/idevaffiliate.php?id=66529 *

Other Useful Links

Looking for an affordable premade book cover? | https://levillainbookcovers.com/shop/ **

Be on the Podcast | https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/podcast/interview/

Host Your Author Website with SiteGround ⇢ https://www.siteground.com/go/authorpreneur *

Support the show

Connect with me on Social Media
Discord: https://discord.gg/HZX7HZBQUf
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorpreneurpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpreneurpodcast/
X: https://twitter.com/writeradhay
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/authorpreneurpodcast/videos
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/authoradhay/
Merch Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/WriterADHay/shop

* This is a service or product offered by me
** My bookish merchandise store

Send us a text

As I wrote the outline and script for the show on value shifts, I realised that there is a smaller unit of story that I need to discuss that's integral to understanding value shifts or how a scene turns. So, I considered adding it to that episode but soon discovered that the final version of the episode would be too long. That's why I created this, hopefully, short bonus show where I discuss what is a story beat. And how you can use them to create better scenes.

Course, Podcasts, Books, and Tools Mentioned

Check Out the Show Notes ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap047/

The previous Episode ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap046/

TAP045, The Anatomy of a Scene ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap045/

TAP041, What is a Scene? ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap041/

Story by Robert McKee ⇢ https://amzn.to/49VnLAe *

Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell ⇢ https://amzn.to/3Wcq8eN *

Story Grid by Shawn Coyne ⇢ https://amzn.to/4aZNs3O *

Suggest an Episode Topic ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/request/

Ask a Question ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/question/

Products I Recommend

Scrivener ⇢ https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=authorpreneurpod *

Grammarly Premium ⇢ https://www.grammarly.com/

Pro Writing Aid ⇢ https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=22911 *

Marlow/Authors.ai ⇢ https://authors.ai/marlowe/?awref=rt2q4bq7zq *

Fiverr ⇢ https://www.fiverr.com/

DIVI Theme ⇢ https://www.elegantthemes.com/affiliates/idevaffiliate.php?id=66529 *

Other Useful Links

Looking for an affordable premade book cover? | https://levillainbookcovers.com/shop/ **

Be on the Podcast | https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/podcast/interview/

Host Your Author Website with SiteGround ⇢

Support the show

Connect with me on Social Media
Discord: https://discord.gg/HZX7HZBQUf
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorpreneurpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpreneurpodcast/
X: https://twitter.com/writeradhay
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/authorpreneurpodcast/videos
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/authoradhay/
Merch Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/WriterADHay/shop

* This is a service or product offered by me
** My bookish merchandise store

Send us a text

So you've probably read the title of this episode and thought, what do cliffhangers have to do with outlining? I'm so glad you asked. Let me explain. If you're the kind of writer who needs to outline every scene, then you need to be aware of the types of cliffhangers and how to effectively use them to create a page-turning effect and not turn readers away. In fact, there is more than one type of cliffhanger—there are four. So, in this episode, I'll unpack the four types of cliffhangers in fiction so that you can avoid the common pitfalls and end your scenes with cliffhangers in a way that keeps the reader turning the page.

Without further ado, let's get into the episode.

Course, Podcasts, Books, and Tools Mentioned

Check Out the Show Notes ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap046/

The previous Episode ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/bts057/

TAP045, The Anatomy of a Scene ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap045/

TAP041, What is a Scene? ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap041/

Got a burning question that you would love me to answer on the podcast ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/question/

Answers to Questions on Writing from Previous Shows ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/question/faq/

Products I Recommend

Scrivener ⇢ https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=authorpreneurpod *

Grammarly Premium ⇢ https://www.grammarly.com/

Pro Writing Aid ⇢ https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=22911 *

AutoCrit ⇢ https://www.autocrit.com/

Marlow/Authors.ai ⇢ https://authors.ai/marlowe/?awref=rt2q4bq7zq *

Fiverr ⇢ https://www.fiverr.com/

DIVI Theme ⇢ https://www.elegantthemes.com/affiliates/idevaffiliate.php?id=66529 *

Other Useful Links

Looking for an affordable premade book cover? | https://levillainbookcovers.com/shop/ **

Be on the Podcast | https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/podcast/interview/

Host Your Author Website with SiteGround ⇢

Support the show

Connect with me on Social Media
Discord: https://discord.gg/HZX7HZBQUf
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorpreneurpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpreneurpodcast/
X: https://twitter.com/writeradhay
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/authorpreneurpodcast/videos
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/authoradhay/
Merch Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/WriterADHay/shop

* This is a service or product offered by me
** My bookish merchandise store

Send us a text

I'm back again. And yes, it's been sixteen weeks since I released an episode of the podcast. Between now and November, I took December and January off because it's a busy time of year and I tend to travel during these periods. When I got back from vacation at the end of January, I had caught the flu from a family function. Guess who didn't get the flu vaccine? But I was out of action for three weeks, and I wanted to wait until I got my voice back before I continued podcasting. In this episode, I look back on 2023 and discuss the highs and lows.  On top of this, I share the products and courses that I recommend and are still using in my writing and self-publishing business.


Without further ado, let's get on with the episode.

Show Notes and Links to Products and Courses


I'm really sorry, but I ran out of room to list all of the products and courses that I love. They're all on the blog post. Just click the link above to see the post.

Support the show

Connect with me on Social Media
Discord: https://discord.gg/HZX7HZBQUf
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorpreneurpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpreneurpodcast/
X: https://twitter.com/writeradhay
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/authorpreneurpodcast/videos
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/authoradhay/
Merch Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/WriterADHay/shop

* This is a service or product offered by me
** My bookish merchandise store

Send us a text

So, how do you write a great scene? But not just a great scene but a scene that keeps a reader engaged and turning the pages, no matter what genre you're writing. The answer is in the details. In order to write great scenes, you need to pay attention to the anatomy of the scene. So, what do I mean by anatomy? I'm referring to the elements of a scene, which include the goal, tension, conflict and stakes of a scene. In this episode, I'm going to break down these individual elements and share tips on how you can incorporate this into your writing.

Course, Podcasts, Books, and Tools Mentioned

Check Out the Show Notes ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap045/
TAP041, What is a Scene? ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/tap041/
TAP009, The 5 Types of Story Conflict ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/5-types-of-story-conflict/
TAP010, How to add more conflict in a story ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/create-conflict-in-a-story/
Got a burning question that you would love me to answer on the podcast ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/question/
Answers to Questions on Writing from Previous Shows ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/question/faq/

Products I Recommend

Scrivener ⇢ https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=authorpreneurpod *
Grammarly Premium ⇢ https://www.grammarly.com/
Pro Writing Aid ⇢ https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=22911 *
AutoCrit ⇢ https://www.autocrit.com/
Marlow/Authors.ai ⇢ https://authors.ai/marlowe/?awref=rt2q4bq7zq *
Fiverr ⇢ https://www.fiverr.com/
DIVI Theme ⇢ https://www.elegantthemes.com/affiliates/idevaffiliate.php?id=66529 *

Other Useful Links

Looking for an affordable premade book cover? | https://levillainbookcovers.com/shop/ **
Be on the Podcast | https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/podcast/interview/
Host Your Author Website with SiteGround ⇢

Support the show

Connect with me on Social Media
Discord: https://discord.gg/HZX7HZBQUf
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorpreneurpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpreneurpodcast/
X: https://twitter.com/writeradhay
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/authorpreneurpodcast/videos
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/authoradhay/
Merch Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/WriterADHay/shop

* This is a service or product offered by me
** My bookish merchandise store

Send us a text

I'm back. And yes, it's been sixteen weeks since I released an episode of the podcast. Originally, I took the summer off because I needed to take a holiday from podcasting and writing. However, I did a bit of blogging during my break, where I discussed whether you should use AI-generated images in book covers. Also, I wrote a blog post on how to work with a book cover designer. This article was originally written to help potential clients and browsers for Le Villain Book Covers, but I shared the full article on authorpreneur podcast dot com because I believed it would be useful to you as well. While we're on the topic of book cover design, I discussed in another blog post the things you need to know before you design your own book cover. 

This episode isn't just about blog posts; I also discuss my struggles with writing and the epiphany I've had, which helped me make progress after chasing my tail for so long.

Without further ado, let's get into the show.

Courses, Podcasts, Books, and Tools Mentioned

Check Out the Show Notes ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/bts056/

How to Work With a Book Cover Designer ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/how-to-work-with-a-book-cover-designer/

AI-Generated Images on Book Covers ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/ai-generated-images-for-book-covers/

Things You Need to Know Before Designing Your Own Book Cover ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/designing-your-own-book-cover/

Accounting and Financial Terms for Authors ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/financial-terms-for-authors/

Plot Gardening by Chris Fox ⇢ https://amzn.to/49egmNu *

Products I Recommend

Scrivener ⇢ https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=authorpreneurpod *

Grammarly Premium ⇢ https://www.grammarly.com/

Pro Writing Aid ⇢ https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=22911 *

Natural Readers ⇢ https://www.naturalreaders.com/

AutoCrit ⇢ https://www.autocrit.com/

Marlow/Authors.ai ⇢ https://authors.ai/marlowe/?awref=rt2q4bq7zq *

Fiverr ⇢ https://www.fiverr.com/

DIVI Theme ⇢ https://www.elegantthemes.com/affiliates/idevaffiliate.php?id=66529 *

Host Your Author Website with SiteGround ⇢ https://www.siteground.com/go/authorpreneur *

Other Useful Links

Affordable Premade Book Covers | https://levillainbookcovers.com/shop/ **

Be on the Podcast | https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/podcast/interview/

Got a burning question that you would love me to answer on the podcast ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/question/

Answers to Questions on Writing from Previous Shows ⇢ https://authorpreneurpodcast.com/question/faq/

Support the show

Connect with me on Social Media
Discord: https://discord.gg/HZX7HZBQUf
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorpreneurpodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpreneurpodcast/
X: https://twitter.com/writeradhay
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/authorpreneurpodcast/videos
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/authoradhay/
Merch Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/WriterADHay/shop

* This is a service or product offered by me
** My bookish merchandise store