The Author's Mind

Why do readers abandon novels that are beautifully written? The problem may be your story's pacing, opening hook, or chapter endings.

In this episode of The Author's Mind, bestselling author Shilo Creed talks with Christy Award-winning author, ghostwriter, and fiction writing coach Lana McAra about how to write a novel readers can't put down.

With more than 40 published and ghostwritten books and over one million copies sold, Lana shares practical fiction writing techniques for creating compelling characters, stronger story openings, and page-turning chapter endings.

Discover why polishing every sentence can actually hurt your novel, how to keep readers turning pages, and the simple editing technique Lana uses to create irresistible cliffhangers.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

• Why beautiful prose isn't enough to keep readers reading
• How to write faster by separating drafting from editing
• The chapter-ending technique that creates page-turning momentum
• How to find the strongest opening hook in your manuscript
• Why your novel might actually begin in Chapter Three
• How personality tests can help you develop believable fictional characters
• The difference between plot-driven and character-driven fiction
• What makes a satisfying ending stay with readers
• How to stop overediting and finally finish your novel

Whether you're writing your first book, editing a completed manuscript, or trying to improve your fiction writing skills, this conversation offers techniques you can put to work immediately.

ABOUT OUR GUEST: LANA McARA

Lana McAra is an award-winning bestselling author, ghostwriter, editor, and book coach. She won the Christy Award for Reaping the Whirlwind, published under her pen name Rosey Dow. Through her writing courses and live writing labs, she helps aspiring and experienced authors develop fiction readers love.

LINKS & RESOURCES

Lana McAra's official website:
https://www.lanamcara.com/

How to Write a Novel That Sells, Lana's fiction writing course:
https://howtowriteanovelthatsells.com/

How to Write a Novel That Sells, writing guide:
https://ileanamcara.systeme.io/how-book

Free Novel Notebook: Visit Lana's website to find her free novel planning resource and newsletter signup.

What makes a novel feel real when the history inside it never actually happened?

Jeff Kildow writes alternate-history thrillers where war, aviation, espionage, and technology collide with frighteningly believable possibilities. An Air Force veteran and retired aerospace engineer, Jeff brings firsthand knowledge, deep research, and a love of history to stories built around one of fiction’s most compelling questions: What if history had turned out just a little differently? Pasted text

In this episode of The Author’s Mind, Shilo Creed and Jeff dig into the craft behind believable fiction, including writing first person versus third person, creating characters who feel human, developing the right villain for your protagonist, writing clean thrillers, and knowing how much research actually needs to make it onto the page.

Jeff also explains why historical accuracy matters even when you are intentionally changing history. His research has included period road maps, wartime gasoline rationing, aircraft manuals, military technology, and the small everyday details that convince readers an author knows what he is talking about. Pasted text

They also talk about:

• Why Jeff spent six years researching his first novel
• How to keep technical knowledge from overwhelming the story
• Building character biographies before writing
• Carrying character arcs across an entire series
• Plotters versus pantsers
• Writing strong villains who are specifically suited to the hero
• Researching military and aviation scenes accurately
• Why content editing can be worth far more than basic proofreading
• Jeff’s advice to new writers: write what you know Pasted text Pasted text Pasted text

If you want your fiction to feel convincing enough that readers stop questioning the world and simply enter the story, this conversation is packed with practical lessons from two experienced novelists.

Guest: Jeff Kildow
Author of the Joel Knight Menace series

Host: Shilo Creed
The Author’s Mind Podcast

If you enjoy conversations about writing stronger fiction, building unforgettable characters, publishing, and the working life of an author, subscribe to The Author’s Mind.

What makes a historical romance impossible to put down—without relying on spice?

In this episode of The Author’s Mind, Shilo Creed talks with historical romance author Paula Panariello about writing clean, emotionally gripping Regency romance readers want to keep turning pages.

Paula is the author of the Necklace Series, a collection of sweet historical romances built around emotionally meaningful objects, complicated relationships, marriage-of-convenience situations, guarded hearts, family expectations, and the social pressures of Regency England.

Drawing on her years as a registered nurse, Paula brings a unique understanding of how people respond differently to love, loss, fear, anger, and adversity—and uses those emotional differences to create deeper fictional characters.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• How to write historical romance that feels emotionally alive
• Creating romantic tension without explicit scenes
• Why marriage of convenience works so well in historical romance
• Using Regency social rules to create natural conflict
• How to make familiar romance tropes feel fresh
• Adding historical details without turning your novel into a history lesson
• Using meaningful objects and symbols throughout a series
• Creating believable conflict between characters who will eventually fall in love
• Writing clean and wholesome romance for today’s market
• Finding the audience that is already looking for the books you write
• Balancing creative passion with the business of being an author
• Why authors shouldn’t be afraid to rebrand books that aren’t selling
• Starting a writing career later in life
• And why sometimes the book that changes your career is still ahead of you

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation:

Readers may know your characters are going to fall in love—but they shouldn’t know how they’re ever going to overcome what stands between them.

That tension is where the story lives.

If you write historical romance, Regency romance, sweet romance, clean romance, Christian romance, or romantic fiction, this episode is packed with practical ideas for creating stronger characters, better conflict, and love stories that feel earned.

🔗 CONNECT WITH PAULA PANARIELLO
https://PaulaPan.com

📚 Learn more about Shilo Creed:
https://ShiloCreed.com

Thinking about self-publishing, hybrid publishing, or hiring a company to publish your novel? Before you spend thousands of dollars, learn the publishing red flags every fiction author should know.

In this episode of The Author’s Mind, Shilo Creed sits down with Gordon McClellan, founder and publisher of Dart Frog Books, to talk about what actually helps authors reach readers—and what may simply be selling them an expensive dream.

We dig into self-publishing, hybrid publishing, book marketing, author platforms, book covers, publishing contracts, bookstore distribution, Amazon rankings, and the warning signs authors should watch for before paying a publishing company.

Gordon explains why phrases like “global distribution” may sound far more impressive than they really are, why genuine book marketing is different from simply producing a book, and why authors should be cautious of anyone promising guaranteed sales, rankings, or visibility.

We also talk about:

• Self-publishing vs. hybrid publishing
• What a legitimate hybrid publisher should actually provide
• Publishing scams and major red flags
• Why “global distribution” does NOT mean readers will find your book
• Why guaranteed Amazon rankings should make authors cautious
• What book marketing can—and cannot—promise
• Why your cover must communicate your genre immediately
• How publishers position books for the right readers
• Why author platform matters
• Publishing contracts and getting your book rights back
• Why authors need access to marketing and sales data
• What to ask before paying someone to publish your book
• Why a publisher willing to tell you “no” may actually be a good sign

CONNECT WITH GORDON MCCLELLAN / DARTFROG BOOKS

Learn more or submit your manuscript:
https://dartfrogbooks.com

Gordon explains that submissions through Dart Frog are free and that the company evaluates books before accepting them.

CONTACT THE AUTHOR’S MIND

Want to suggest an author or publishing professional for a future episode?

Email Shilo Creed:
[email protected]

How do you start a novel that hooks readers from page one—and makes them trust you enough to keep reading?

Award-winning Christian fiction author, writing teacher, and A Writer’s Day podcast host Ruth A. Douthitt joins Shilo Creed to break down what makes a novel opening work—and the subtle mistakes that can make readers lose confidence in a writer before the story ever gets going.

We dig into first chapters, exposition, deep point of view, character voice, genre expectations, emotional connection, flawed characters, suspense, backstory, and the small signals that tell a reader: this author knows how to tell a story.

If your novel opening is technically “good” but readers still aren’t getting hooked, this conversation may show you why.

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Why readers stop trusting a writer
05:09 The #1 mistake Ruth sees in novel openings
10:25 Backstory vs. action: what belongs in Chapter One?
14:45 The emotion that hooks suspense readers
19:00 Deep POV and the first pages of your novel
23:04 Creating “dopamine hits” through reader discovery
28:15 Character voice mistakes that break immersion
31:14 Why you MUST read the genre you write
35:17 Creating flawed characters readers root for
38:09 The story rule that keeps every scene moving
41:42 Where to connect with Ruth

CONNECT WITH RUTH A. DOUTHITT

Website, books & newsletter:
https://www.artbyruth.com/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/author_ra_douthitt/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063202599768

Listen to Ruth’s A Writer’s Day podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-writers-day/id1472104073

GET CHAPTER ONE OF PLUNGED FREE

What happens when a Navy SEAL trained to survive anything is thrown into a world where none of his training can save him?

Read Chapter One of Plunged by Shilo Creed FREE:
https://shilocreed.kit.com/124edee192

LISTEN TO THE AUTHOR’S MIND

YouTube / YouTube Music:
https://www.youtube.com/@theauthorsmind-shilocreed

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-authors-mind/id1868039094

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1f1JTYxWUIMJZMwHGBxw9z

Connect with Shilo Creed:
https://shilocreed.com

#HowToWriteANovel #WritingTips #FictionWriting #FirstChapter #AuthorTube

You don’t have to use AI to write your books. But authors can no longer afford not to understand what AI is doing to writing, publishing, copyright, marketing, and the author business.

Registration is completely free:
https://aiwritingsummit.com/?aff=81

In this special episode of The Author’s Mind, Shilo Creed tackles the AI conversation from a different angle: not “AI is amazing” and not “AI is destroying everything”—but what authors actually need to know to protect their work, preserve their voice, make informed decisions, and recognize the opportunities and dangers ahead.

We’ll talk about:

• Why opting out of AI doesn’t mean you can opt out of being affected by it
• AI writing vs. AI-assisted writing
• How authors should think about manuscripts, privacy, copyright, and intellectual property
• Why AI can sound completely confident and still be wrong
• Where AI can genuinely help authors without writing their books for them
• How to decide what parts of your creative process should stay completely human
• The GUARD framework for using—or avoiding—AI intentionally

The goal of this episode is not to convince you to use more AI.

It’s to make sure you know enough about AI to decide for yourself.

And if you want to go deeper, I’m speaking at the AI Writing Summit 2026, happening September 14–18. More than 40 speakers will be exploring AI, writing, publishing, marketing, author voice, business, and where AI may—or may not—belong in the creative process.

Registration is completely free:
https://aiwritingsummit.com/?aff=81

Whether you love AI, distrust it, or want nothing to do with it, this is a conversation authors can’t afford to ignore.

Topics: AI writing, AI for authors, ChatGPT for authors, artificial intelligence and writing, AI and publishing, self-publishing, author marketing, AI copyright, AI writing tools, writing advice, author business

How do you write a thriller readers can’t put down?

Veteran Law & Order, House, Pretty Little Liars, CSI: Miami, Supernatural, and JAG writer Matt Witten joins Shilo Creed on The Author’s Mind to break down the storytelling techniques that keep readers turning pages.

And one of the best techniques in this entire conversation came straight from the Law & Order writers’ room:

When a character goes somewhere looking for something, don’t give them what they expect.

Give them something else.

That simple shift can transform a predictable scene into a story that constantly moves, surprises, and pulls the reader into the next chapter.

In this episode, Matt and Shilo dig into:

• How to write thriller pacing without creating artificial delays
• The Law & Order scene trick that keeps a plot moving
• How to create compelling character arcs
• Why your hero should sometimes move dangerously close to becoming the villain
• How to use ticking clocks without annoying your reader
• When a novel actually needs a plot twist
• How to make twists surprising AND believable
• Why characters should react realistically even when the plot gets wild
• How to build stories from your deepest fears
• The difference between a plot complication and a delay
• How Matt develops a novel from one sentence
• What television writing can teach novelists about pacing
• How to maintain the right tone throughout a book
• Why passion for writing matters through rejection, disaster, and everything else

Matt also takes us inside the creation of his newest thriller, 51%, a dystopian crime novel set in a future where corporations can literally own percentages of human beings.

We also discuss The Necklace, Matt’s Amazon Editors’ Pick thriller about a small-town mother seeking justice for her murdered daughter. The novel has been published in eight languages and optioned for film.

CONNECT WITH MATT WITTEN

Website: Matt Witten Writer

Instagram: @mattwitten22

Read 51% by Matt Witten on Amazon

Learn more about The Necklace

LISTEN TO THE AUTHOR’S MIND

The Author’s Mind takes you behind the scenes of bestselling fiction—one author at a time. From plotting and character development to productivity, publishing, creativity, and the craft decisions behind unforgettable stories, these are real conversations with working writers about how great fiction gets made.

Subscribe on YouTube / YouTube Music

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Connect with Shilo Creed

What was your biggest takeaway from Matt’s approach to storytelling? Leave it in the comments.

#WritingTips #ThrillerWriting #FictionWriting #WritingAdvice #NovelWriting #MattWitten #LawAndOrder #Storytelling #AuthorInterview #WritingCraft #Plotting #CharacterDevelopment #PlotTwists #ThrillerWriter #AuthorTube

What if writer’s block isn’t a motivation problem at all—but a flow problem?

In this episode of The Author’s Mind, Shilo Creed sits down with Tony Tenaglier, host of Work Sucks, But I Like It and a PhD candidate studying Industrial-Organizational Psychology, to break down what actually happens when writers enter flow state—and why modern distractions may be making it harder to get there.

Tony explains the three conditions that make flow more likely: a clear goal, immediate feedback, and the right balance between challenge and skill. Then we dig into the four-stage flow cycle—struggle, release, flow, and recovery—and what writers can do to deliberately build those stages into a creative routine.

And then we get into the part every writer with a phone needs to hear.

Why can five minutes of Reels wreck a writing session? Why does reaching for your phone during writer’s block often make the block worse? What does dopamine have to do with creative focus? And could quiet, boredom, morning routines, and even one familiar song on repeat help your brain get back into the state where the words start moving on their own?

Shilo also shares how she once wrote 13,000 words during a single road trip, and how she wrote a 90,000-word novel in three weeks while listening to one song on repeat.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What flow state actually feels like for a writer
• The 3 conditions that help trigger flow
• The 4 stages of the flow cycle
• Why writer’s block may actually be part of the process
• Why reaching for your phone can destroy creative momentum
• How short-form content competes with deep focus
• Why low-stimulation breaks can work better than scrolling
• How boredom and silence can fuel creativity

CONNECT WITH TONY TENAGLIER

Website & Work Sucks, But I Like It:
https://worksucksbutilikeit.com

Listen on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/work-sucks-but-i-like-it/id1826752475

Tony discusses his books The Impression of a Good Life: Finding Your Song and Dance and Don’t Let Life Pass You By: Win the Game of Work and Play, plus his forthcoming In a Rush to Go Nowhere: Finding Shivasana.

LISTEN TO THE AUTHOR’S MIND

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1f1JTYxWUIMJZMwHGBxw9z

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-authors-mind/id1868039094

YouTube / YouTube Music:
https://www.youtube.com/@theauthorsmind-shilocreed

Connect with Shilo Creed:
https://shilocreed.com

#WritersBlock #FlowState #WritingTips #WritingAdvice #NovelWriting #WritingProductivity #CreativeWriting #AuthorTube #WritingMotivation #DeepWork

How do you make a kid narrator funny, flawed, and occasionally frustrating—without losing the reader’s heart?

Middle grade author Steph Katzovi breaks down the character-voice choices that make young narrators feel believable, lovable, and genuinely funny. We talk about writing for younger readers, choosing the right words and sentence length, planning humor, drawing inspiration from real children, and why switching from third person to first person completely transformed Steph’s Camp Hillside series.

Steph also shares an unexpected craft advantage from her former career as a speechwriter: learning to watch when an audience laughs, leans in, loses interest—or wants to clap.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to write a flawed child character readers still root for
• Why “relatable but aspirational” is a powerful middle grade character formula
• How sentence length, repeated words, and reading level affect young readers
• How to turn real childhood experiences into age-appropriate fiction
• When to plan a joke—and when to let humor emerge during the draft
• Why first-person narration can make a middle grade character come alive
• How short chapters and cliffhangers keep young readers turning pages
• What speechwriting can teach fiction authors about dialogue and audience response

CHAPTERS

00:00 — The funny, flawed kid narrator problem
05:49 — Writing clearly for middle grade readers
08:17 — Making imperfect characters lovable
14:59 — Turning childhood and setting into story
19:38 — What speechwriting teaches fiction authors
27:22 — First person, pacing, short chapters, and cliffhangers

ABOUT STEPH KATZOVI

Steph Katzovi is a children’s author and former strategic communications consultant whose Camp Hillside books follow Noodle Newman through the funny, uncomfortable, and courageous realities of tween life. Her work combines humor, warmth, friendship, and the emotional honesty of growing up.

CONNECT WITH STEPH

Website and books:
https://stephkatzovi.com

Instagram:
https://instagram.com/stephkatzovi

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/StephKatzoviLit

Steph’s blog:
https://stephkatzovi.com/stephs-blog/

Noodle’s blog:
https://stephkatzovi.com/noodles-blog/

LISTEN TO THE AUTHOR’S MIND

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/1f1JTYxWUIMJZMwHGBxw9z

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-authors-mind/id1868039094

YouTube and YouTube Music:
https://www.youtube.com/@theauthorsmind-shilocreed

You wrote the book. Now what?

Most writers think the hardest part is finishing the manuscript. It's not. The hardest part is getting a publisher to say yes — and most never understand what publishers are actually looking for.

In this episode, I sit down with Bridget Cook-Burch — bestselling author, writing mentor, and founder of Inspired Legacy Publishing — to pull back the curtain on what publishers see that you don't.

What you'll learn: ⏱️ 0:00 — Why "truth over plot" is the first thing publishers look for ⏱️ 4:41 — The self-awareness trap that kills your manuscript before page one ⏱️ 6:38 — How high emotional stakes separate a manuscript that sells from one that sits ⏱️ 8:47 — Why every hero needs a fatal flaw (and every villain needs something redeemable) ⏱️ 12:47 — The one non-negotiable habit of every author who gets published ⏱️ 28:21 — "If you aim at everybody, you'll hit nobody" — defining your reader before you submit ⏱️ 42:14 — Why 97% of manuscripts never become books — and how to be in the 3%

Bridget shares the moment she knew she had to become a publisher, what Taylor Swift taught her about handling creative criticism, and why most writers are sitting on a publishable story right now — they just don't know how to frame it.

If you're serious about getting published, this is the conversation you need to hear.

🔗 Learn more about Inspired Legacy Publishing: https://www.yourinspiredstory.com/publishing

📚 My novel PLUNGED — a Christian thriller for fans of Ted Dekker & Frank Peretti: https://www.amazon.com/Plunged-Three-Worlds-Book-1-ebook/dp/B0DFV5F7PJ/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1

#PublishingAdvice #HowToGetPublished #AuthorInterview #ManuscriptTips #WritingCommunity #BestsellingAuthor #FictionWriting #LiteraryAgent