In our sixth episode of the Craft and the Writerly Life series, we finally bring our protagonists to their feet and lead them into the ultimate battle, their chance to make things right. So satisfying! You’ll find suggestions for (1) what to include in that third act; (2) how to empower the protagonist; and (3) how to show the hidden need has been met. Intuitive and Intentional writers can apply all this whenever and however they want. And leave the reader changed in some small way. (Or maybe a big one!)

In our Fifth episode of the Craft and the Writerly Life series, we get in there and raise the stakes, all the way to the bleakest moment. We’ll provide 2 sets of questions to ask so you can bring your protagonist to their knees and get them on their feet again. Both Intuitives and Intentional writers can apply these questions whenever and however they want. The writerly outlook is NOT bleak!

In our Fourth episode of the Craft and the Writerly Life series, we play with building conflict, increasing tension, and making things bad, worse, and worst. We build a story together, make charts for characters butting heads, and consider 4 sets of questions to ask in order to weave that tangled web. Intuitives and Intentional writers alike will feel the tension rise. In a good way!

Third episode in our series: Craft and the Writerly life. Here we go into the messiest, most chaotic, most seemingly impossible part of writing a story: The Bloody Plot! Because there is no hack for this, we simply address 5 questions to ask ourselves, based on the throughline (Episode #58) and the turning points (Episode #59) Once again, this is NOT just for the Intentional Writer. Intuitives… we’ve got your back too.

Second episode in our series: Craft and the Writerly life. This time, we talk about creating the character arc, the movement of our protagonist’s inner journey. The three steps will lead to a beginning, an end, and the turning points in between. And just so you know, this is NOT just for the Intentional Writer. Intuitives… we’ve got your back too.

First episode in a new series: Craft and the Writerly Life. We’ve built our writerly lives on all the levels. Now let’s look at the craft of writing—not “here’s how to do it”, but “here’s how YOU do it” in your own unique way. We start with the most foundational element of story-telling—the throughline. By following 4 steps we’ll discover the hidden need that shapes our stories.

We’ve reignited our passion and reconnected with our writerly lives. We’ve grown in that process, which means that some aspects of that creative life may need some remodeling. In this episode, we envision an updated “creative house,” and explore its five “rooms”—why, who, what, how, and when/where to see what needs some tweaking, if not an all out redo.

Listening to other people tell us the “rules” for living a writerly life is like waiting for permission to ugly-cry or snort-laugh. Before we can write—and live—authentically and creatively, we first need to release the “commandments” that limit us. In this episode we explore three areas that could do with some pondering. Prepare to feel—and be—free.

It’s one thing to feel the passion for writing stir again, and another to know how to move forward with it. This second in a series of episodes focused on the writerly REs offers four steps for REconnecting with the writerly life we grew apart from—and making it even more delicious.

Has your passion for writing flagged or even flatlined? It happens to all of us, and it’s essential that we REvive it. This first in a series of episodes focused on the writerly REs offers four steps in bringing back the passion that makes the best creativity possible.