In this episode, I analyze the movie the Black Swan. I think there are 4 things that really make this movie stand out. I analyze this movie from the perspective of a storyteller so that you as a writer can implement these strategies in your work.

1. Tight timeline, perspective, and plot - The story takes place over a short period of time, the perspective is first person and deep, and the plot revolves around the central idea of getting a part in a ballet and how that affects a young dancer.  
2. Highly symbolic - black and white symbolism, juxtaposition between Nina and Lilly
3. Empathy for main character - We see how badly Nina struggles to be a dancer and how far she'll go to be 'perfect.'
4. Represents life as a whole -The story is summed up by the ballet. Ballet and life are synonymous for Nina. 

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, for indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

#writing #writingtips #writingpodcast

In this episode, I discuss 5 ways to identify and fix plot holes. 

What is a plot hole? Quite simply, it's a gap in the plot that doesn't make sense to the reader. 


5 Signs Your Story Might Have a Plot Hole:
1) Major characters are introduced after the midpoint 
2) Early information is not utilized within the story 
3) A character's feelings abruptly shift from one scene to the next
4) There is a lot of telling, especially at the end of the story 
5) A character or place has no underlying meaning that connects to the theme


I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, for indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

#writing #writingtips #writingpodcast

In this episode, I discuss 5 ways to be more confident in your writing. It's so easy to feel vulnerable when sharing your innermost feelings and observations with the world (especially with all the rejection we have to face!), so I have outlined 5 reasons why you should feel more confident about your writing. 

1) Eliminate comparisons because they don't do anything to improve your craft. Comparing your own work to that of another does not provide objective value. 
2) If you are giving your all, you should be confident in your work. Your best effort will breed natural confidence. 
3) Reduce perfectionistic tendencies. I think most authors have a tendency to get inside their heads. Sometimes perfectionism is a good thing like when you have an eye for detail, but hoarding your work until it's 'perfect' doesn't teach you anything. Get your work out there, and stop being a perfectionist. 
4) Stop looking for approval from family and friends. Turn inward for your own approval. 
5) Writing is a journey. Any step (whether forward or backward) is a step closer to the goal. We are all about enjoying the road trip here on TurnWritePod. 

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

#writing #writingtips #writingpodcast

In this episode, I review the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I outline 5 reasons why it's a great novel and how you as an author can emulate that in your own work. 

1. Complex characters - Evelyn is not a one-dimensional character. She is layered, highly motivated to be a successful Hollywood actress, and will go to great lengths to preserve her image. 
2. Different plot - I've seen love triangles, backstabbing, and betrayal, but never a love swap with an LGBT cast of characters. 
3. Serious topics - Taylor Jenkins Reid touches on it all--heartache, marrying for money, domestic abuse, and gay rights. 
4. Compelling theme - Stay true to yourself and risk it all or be exposed for who you really are when your career is on the line. It's a theme for the ages with its own unique spin. 
5. Well-paced - The author does a good job of alternating between Evelyn's past and Monique's future. There is a good balance of plot and character.

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, for indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

#writing #writingtips #writingpodcast

In this episode, I discuss what I think are Taylor Swift's ten best written songs. I discuss how this helps you as a writer. Feel free to leave a comment and disagree with me!

1. All Too Well
2. Betty
3. Ivy
4. Treacherous
5. Invisible String
6. London Boy
7. Lover
8. You Belong With Me
9. Our Song
10. Dress

Indie Author Avenue: https://www.amazon.com/Seventh-Generation-Steve-Prentice/dp/1952816599/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+seventh+generation+steve&qid=1630361003&sr=8-1

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, for indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

#writing #writingtips #writingpodcast

In this episode, I break down the 5 components of a character arc using examples from popular fiction.

1) Thematic Truth
2) Lie the character believes
3) The thing the character wants
4) The thing the character needs
5) Ghost

Check out Forgive Me by Kateri Stanley: https://www.amazon.com/Forgive-Me-Kateri-Stanley/dp/B08ZDFPLQJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3PT03A9CONZA2&dchild=1&keywords=forgive+me+kateri&qid=1629914062&sprefix=forgive+me+kateri%2Caps%2C359&sr=8-1

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, for indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

#writing #writingtips #writingpodcast

In this episode, I outline 4 ways to make minor characters more interesting. Minor characters are an often overlooked element of novel writing. I certainly overlooked minor characters in my first novel The Sweep.

1) Unique and distinctive personality - Effie Trinket in the Hunger Games
2) Contribute to plot goal - Neville kills Nagini in HP
3) Represent theme - Tom represents the theme of corrupt wealth in The Great Gatsby.
4) Contain an arc - Caleb transforms from kind to intellectually superior in Divergent.

Check out Lunar Seed by Em Vega: https://www.amazon.com/Lunar-Seed-Plastic-Mind-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B01976ZS8G/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=lunar+seed+em+vega&qid=1629223905&sr=8-2

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, for indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

#writing #writingtips #writingpodcast

In this episode, I review People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry. I give author takeaways and discuss key elements that made me fall in love with the characters.

1) Rich and expressive voice
2) Loveable characters
3) Good pacing
4) Believable love interest

Check Out Paul Lafferty's novel Down the Lane: https://www.amazon.com/Down-Lane-Paul-Lafferty-ebook/dp/B08SWF9G9Q/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=down+the+lane&qid=1628549088&sr=8-1

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, for indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

#writing #writingtips #writingpodcast

In this episode, I discuss the six biggest problems pantsers face. As a fellow pantser, I wanted to bring my own experience into this episode and disucss issues I have faced in the past so you don't have to. 

“At heart, I would have to say I’m a pantser. I fully embrace the chaos of letting the unintended happen, on life and on the page.” – Margaret Stohl 

1)    Lacking the vision to finish the story

2)    Repetition 

3)    Spending too much time in the editing phase

4)    Feeling Uninspired

5)    Subplots

6)    Cohesion 

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, for indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

#writing #writingtips #writingpodcast

Red herrings increase the stakes of your novel, create interesting backgrounds for minor characters, and can change the entire course of the plot. Utilize one or two strong red herrings and your story will be set in motion, spinning in the right direction. 

Elements of  a Red Herring:

1) We're conditioned not to like them.
2) They have a logical role in the plot.
3) They work well with multiple perspectives. 
4) They have a deeply personal stake in the plot.

Check out B. Fox's Paper Castles: https://www.amazon.com/Paper-Castles-novel-B-Fox-ebook/dp/B08VJKQLLD/ref=sr_1_2?crid=34CITV9YSLS28&dchild=1&keywords=paper+castles+b+fox&qid=1626799539&sprefix=paper+castles+%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-2

I created the Turn Write Podcast for beginning writers, for indie authors, for people who are looking for their voice and who want to know how to use it. The idea for this bite-sized podcast came to me as I sat in endless traffic commuting an hour each way to and from my 9-5 job, wondering why do I write? Why do I rush home every day with the agonizing hope of trying to string together meaningless words to create a feeling deeper than I could dare hope to describe? Well, day after day I kept thinking and there was only one answer: I loved to write. I am on a journey to becoming a published author, and I want to help you get there too.

Read my novel The Sweep: https://www.amazon.com/Sweep-Kaitlin-Greco/dp/1702161706/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+sweep+kaitlin+greco&qid=1577982814&sr=8-1#mediaMatrix_secondary_view_div_1579103732446

Follow my Socials:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KGrecoLIT
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm9NohirDBeTym6K-70RDow

Blog: https://notkeepingupwithkait.wordpress.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@kaitlinagreco

#writing #writingtips #writingpodcast