Writer Unleashed

What makes your story a page turner? What makes it so irresistible that readers devour every page? In today’s episode, we’re breaking down 4 tips to writing a page turner. Techniques that go beneath and beyond common structures like the Hero’s Journey, Save the Cat, and the traditional 3-Act.  So you can make your story stand out from the pile.  And keep readers hooked scene by scene.

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FREE 3-Act Worksheet

Scenes are the building blocks of your story.  But how do you craft scenes that draw us in every single time? That keep us turning the page?  In this episode you'll learn how to craft spellbinding scenes from beginning to end.

In today's episode, we'll cover:

• The difference between scene and summary.
• Four essential things each scene should give your protagonist.
• How to set each scene's intentions.
• What it means to "advance your plot" and how to do it.
• and how to structure your scenes from start to finish. 

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Also Listen To:
Episode 78:  Five Elements of a Riveting First Scene

Your first scene is crucial. It’s what sets your story in motion. It's where you keep your reader or lose em'.  So you want to craft this scene with intention.  In this episode, you'll learn 3 essential things your first scene must accomplish.  And we'll explore 5  core elements that go into every successful first scene, with examples from Neil Gaiman's  novel, American Gods, and Lucy Grealy's memoir, Autobiography of a Face.

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Episode 69: How to Create Plot Continuity With Character Thought

There’s no one size fits all way to write. Still, there’s no shortage of advice on how to do it.  But some advice can derail you for months, maybe years. Advice like reaching a certain word count per day. Or crafting your story with an ideal reader in mind. Or outlining before you’ve felt  your way into your story.  So, today I’m going to counter some of the most common advice I hear over and over and give you another perspective.  

 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 going to pull some of my favorite  quotes and unwrap them for the wisdom and creative fuel they offer on  writing technique and  the writing life.

Have you ever thought, Writing should be easier for me than this?  I sure did. I didn't know there was a craft to writing a novel. I thought talent and sheer  passion would see me through. And then I became a professional competitive dancer and learned that desire and talent were just starter fuel. The truth is, writing is no easier than mastering any other art form. Talent is not enough. Technique on it's own is not enough. So, what does it take to master the art of writing? In this episode, I share what I learned as a dancer about bringing heart and technique together, how to practice deliberately to bring your work closer to a publishable caliber, and why perfectionism is restricting you.

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How do you keep a consistent writing routine when you're life is hectic as all hell?  How do you find time to write and  fulfill life's never-ending hamster wheel of responsibilities?  And where do you find the energy?  In this episode, you'll hear the strategies I've been using for years to let writing co-exist with a crazy busy, but beautiful  life as a single working mom. You'll learn a more abundant way to think about time, how to ride the momentum when you're at your best, and how to protect your creative time fiercely.   

Books mentioned:
168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think
7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Also Read:
What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast

Also Listen To:
#15 How to Find Your Creative Flow

How can you be more efficient with structuring your story? How do you balance structure while keeping the story fresh and surprising? In this episode we're going to talk about 5 essential storytelling techniques that will help you structure your story into a riveting experience for your readers. You'll also learn how to hook your reader in your opening sentences instantly using one simple word.

Also Listen to:
Episode 71: Captivating Characters
Episode 72: 3 Ways to Craft a Compelling Point of View

Do you ever feel like you're tying yourself up in knots with all the different points of view your story has?  POV is one of the most misunderstood and often poorly taught story elements. It's also one of the most important story decisions you make.  But there's so much confusion about POV. In today's episode, we'll untangle some of the confusion. You'll learn what point of view is (and what it's not) and the 3 main constructs that create point of view.  And  a writing exercise to drive it all home, so grab something to write on and write with.

Also listen to:
Episode 71: Beyond the First Draft: Captivating Characters

You have your first draft. Or maybe you're stalled in your current work in progress. Now what?  How do you finish what you started? Today, you'll learn how to move forward with your work in progress, or revise the  draft you already have.  This is part  1 of a 3 part mini series, Beyond the First Draft. This episode focuses on character development. You'll get clear on who your story is about, what your main character wants, how to build complexity into your characters, and how to reveal their nuances.

Grab your FREE Character Questionnaire and Email Series here.

Episode Show Notes