Writer Unleashed

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

📚 Get the character-led method to shape your story from start to finish, without the overwhelm, second-guessing, or endless rewriting. Enrollment closes Thursday, October 22, at 7 pm ET. → https://3actstory.me

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

📚 Get the character-led method to shape your story from start to finish, without the overwhelm, second-guessing, or endless rewriting. Enrollment closes Thursday, October 22, at 7 pm ET. → https://3actstory.me

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

📚 Get the character-led method to shape your story from start to finish, without the overwhelm, second-guessing, or endless rewriting. Enrollment closes Thursday, October 22, at 7 pm ET. → https://3actstory.me

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

📚 Get the character-led method to shape your story from start to finish, without the overwhelm, second-guessing, or endless rewriting. Enrollment closes Thursday, October 22, at 7 pm ET. → https://3actstory.me

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

📚 Get the character-led method to shape your story from start to finish, without the overwhelm, second-guessing, or endless rewriting. Enrollment closes Thursday, October 22, at 7 pm ET. → https://3actstory.me

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

📚 Get the character-led method to shape your story from start to finish, without the overwhelm, second-guessing, or endless rewriting. Enrollment closes Thursday, October 22, at 7 pm ET. → https://3actstory.me

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.

Episode Web Page

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

📚 Get the character-led method to shape your story from start to finish, without the overwhelm, second-guessing, or endless rewriting. Enrollment closes Thursday, October 22, at 7 pm ET. → https://3actstory.me

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

📚 Get the character-led method to shape your story from start to finish, without the overwhelm, second-guessing, or endless rewriting. Enrollment closes Thursday, October 22, at 7 pm ET. → https://3actstory.me

In one of the most downloaded episodes of 2023, we're tackling the one thing stopping writers from bringing their story to the finish line.

Fear.

Maybe you fear visibility, and the expectations and judgements you’ll open yourself up to.  

Then there's fear of rejection. Even if you’re nowhere near ready to submit your story, it  prevents you from finishing.

Maybe you're afraid of putting your book out there. You just keep wanting to do one read-through after another. It's never good enough.

Maybe your greatest fear is that you'll let yourself down.

In this episode, we're breaking down 4 common fears that may be keeping you stuck.  Then we'll replace those fears with mindset shifts to get you unstuck. So you can shift your writing from dream to reality.

Also Listen To:

Episode 108: 3 Things Published Authors Do Differently

Episode Website

📚 Get the character-led method to shape your story from start to finish, without the overwhelm, second-guessing, or endless rewriting. Enrollment closes Thursday, October 22, at 7 pm ET. → https://3actstory.me

What is scene? What is summary?

In this episode, learn the crucial difference between them.

We'll explore the common ways writers get scene and summary wrong.  And you'll get guidelines on how to balance both to enhance the pace of your story.
 
Episode Web Page

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📚 Get the character-led method to shape your story from start to finish, without the overwhelm, second-guessing, or endless rewriting. Enrollment closes Thursday, October 22, at 7 pm ET. → https://3actstory.me