Show, don't tell.

How many times have you heard this advice? You may understand the concept, but it's still not sinking in.

So, what's the difference between showing and telling? Should show don't tell be applied to every line and paragraph of a story? Are there times when it's better to tell?

When do you show? When do you tell? And how do you write it?

In this episode, I'm going to tease apart the difference between telling and showing, using examples that integrate both. 

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Structure your story with this FREE 3-Act Worksheet. Go beyond outlining and write a story that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.   Grab your FREE Worksheet here.

You want your characters' dialogue to sound natural, like real people talking.  But what do you do when the dialogue just sounds mundane, forced, and dull? 

Writing dialogue requires practice. And there are some ways to think about dialogue to help you write it better. 

In this episode, learn 5 do's and don'ts of writing stronger, more absorbing dialogue.

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Structure your story with this FREE 3-Act Worksheet. Go beyond outlining and write a story that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.   Grab your FREE Worksheet here.

If I had to pick one thing that makes readers stop reading, it's the overcomplicated plot. 

Both  novice and experienced writers fall into this trap. They include too many characters, too many events, storylines,  and extraneous details that don’t feel connected or integrated.

This makes it confusing  and frustrating for you as you write and revise. And a slog for your readers to get through. 

When you overcomplicate your plot, your story lacks internal consistency or logic. It lacks the unified effect that pulls the story together, and keeps readers engaged all the way through.

In this episode, I'm sharing some simple ways to uncomplicate your plot. So you can move through revision faster, and with more focus. And ultimately, create a deeper, more engaging story for your readers.

Episode Website

Structure your story with this FREE 3-Act Worksheet. Go beyond outlining and write a story that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.   Grab your FREE Worksheet here.

You want to bring more depth and complexity to your characters so that readers are interested and invested in what happens to them.

But how do you do that?

In this episode, I’m sharing 3 ways to create deeper, more fascinating characters.

These are often things I see lacking in student manuscripts, especially those more focused on plot.  Plot and character really can’t be separated. But before you plot, you need to know who your story is about, and what makes him or her tick.

Episode Website

Structure your story with this FREE 3-Act Worksheet. Go beyond outlining and write a story that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.   Grab your FREE Worksheet here.

There's a lot of confusion about the difference between who's telling the story  (first or third person), and point of view.

I'll see stories with no point of view,  a watered down point of view, or a confused and unfocused point of view.
 
Who's narrating your story is not the point of view.

They're related. But they're separate elements that serve different purposes.

So in this episode, I'm going to tease apart narration from point of view.  And then I'll share 3 key points to craft a strong point of view.

Episode Website

Structure your story with this FREE 3-Act Worksheet. Go beyond outlining and write a story that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.   Grab your FREE Worksheet here.

What are plot points? And why do you need them?

In this episode, we’ll talk about 3 major plot points, the purpose of each, and where in your story to place them.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What a plot point is
• The foundational elements you need before charting your plot points
• Your 3 Acts and what percentage of your story each act comprises
• Where each plot point happens in each of your three acts and how they move your story forward

Episode Website

Structure your story with this FREE 3-Act Worksheet. Go beyond outlining and write a story that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.   Grab your FREE Worksheet here.

Ever wonder how to write your First Act?

In this episode, learn 3 core elements to structure - and nail-  Act One of your story.

From your set-up, to your inciting incident, to your first plot point, you'll learn how these elements impact the rest of your story, and where to place each.

We'll cover:

• How long your first act should be
• How to set up your story so we know who and what your story's about
• What an inciting incident is, what a plot point is, and their purpose in story
• The difference between your inciting incident and first plot point, and where to place both
• How your first plot point establishes your character's dramatic need that will sustain the rest of your story

Episode Website

Structure your story with this FREE 3-Act Worksheet. Go beyond outlining and write a story that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.   Grab your FREE Worksheet here.

How do you write an opening scene that hooks your reader? An opening so captivating, it compels readers to keep turning the page.

A great opening does multiple things to lure readers in.

In this episode, we'll focus on crafting an opening hook that keeps them reading.

We'll cover:

• A surefire technique for launching your story
• Provoking questions readers crave the answer to, and when to reveal the answers
• How to make an instant emotional connection between character and reader
• Using contradiction to create mystery and surprise

Episode Web Page

Structure your story with this FREE 3-Act Worksheet. Go beyond outlining and write a story that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.   Grab your FREE Worksheet here.

New Year. Fresh start.

Maybe you’ve resolved that 2024 is going to be the year you’re going to  finish your novel or memoir once and for all.

But what so often happens is 50 pages or 200 pages in, the writing gets hard and overwhelming.

Writers look at their pages and think it's rubbish. So they abandon the whole project. Or start a new story. Only to start the cycle all over again.

So, in this episode, I’m going to give you  4 tips  to keep yourself invested in your story for the long game.

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Also listen to: Episode 158: A Different Approach To Writing First Drafts

Structure your story with this FREE 3-Act Worksheet. Go beyond outlining and write a story that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.   Grab your FREE Worksheet here.

In this episode, we're going back to a beloved episode from 2022.

Writing is solitary.  And if you’re anything like me, you like to dip into some inspiration from time to time for a creative boost or deeper insight into the craft.

So much of our progress depends on how we feel about the work.

So in this episode, I’m pulling from  some of my favorite  quotes and unwrapping them for the wisdom and creative fuel they offer on  writing technique and  the writing life.

Episode Web Page

Structure your story with this FREE 3-Act Worksheet. Go beyond outlining and write a story that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.   Grab your FREE Worksheet here.