How do you avoid writing the stock villain?  How do you move beyond the cliche to create a bad guy that surprises us? That goes against the status quo? 

On today’s episode of Writer Unleashed, we’ll explore 5 ways to create a villain that defies stereotype.

We'll discuss:

• What readers really want from your villain
• How to explore what's underneath your character's bad acts
• Better questions to get under your villain's skin
• How to tap into your own impulses to write more nuanced and believable villains

Grab your free Character Questionnaire on this free resource page. 

And if you want to connect with more like-minded writers, and with me, join us on our private Writer Unleashed Community Facebook Group. Joining is free. 

Most first drafts don't stall because writing is hard. They stall because there's a weak link in the foundation. The Story Clarity Worksheet helps you find it. Download yours free at nancipanuccio.com/clarity

Of all the things I see tripping writers  up, point of view is the most common and persistent.

It's one of the most misunderstood elements of writing.

It's also one of the most essential things to get right.

On today’s episode of Writer Unleashed, we’ll explore:

• 3 common missteps writers make about point of view
• What point of view is…and what it isn’t. 
• Why first, second, and third-person has virtually nothing to do with point of view. 
• When to use multiple points of view. And when not to. 
• And 4 simple techniques to crafting your story’s most riveting and compelling point of view. 

Want to connect with more like-minded writers? Join us on our private Writer Unleashed Community Facebook Group. Joining is free. 

Most first drafts don't stall because writing is hard. They stall because there's a weak link in the foundation. The Story Clarity Worksheet helps you find it. Download yours free at nancipanuccio.com/clarity

97% of writers never finish their book.  And out of that 3% who do finish their books, only 1 to 2 percent of them ever publish. 

On today’s episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll break down some of the most common barriers to bringing your story to the finish line,  and how to use brain science to become part of that 3% who finishes the book. 2021, here we come.

We'll explore:

• Why talent isn't enough and the mindset you must cultivate instead
• The power of community to inspire and keep you accountable
• What you need more of than time
• The brain science behind why we procrastinate, how to stop stalling and start writing now.

Also listen to
Episode 11: How to Make Time to Write When You Have No Time

Join the private Writer Unleashed private Community on Facebook. It's FREE. You'll find support, inspiration, and the tools to move your writing forward in 2021. 

Most first drafts don't stall because writing is hard. They stall because there's a weak link in the foundation. The Story Clarity Worksheet helps you find it. Download yours free at nancipanuccio.com/clarity

Some days you're on fire. Other days, you feel like a dried up spec of dust. With no soul.

You’ve lost motivation and may even have stopped writing altogether. So how do you get your mojo back so you can bring your work in progress to the finish line?

On today's episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll explore 5 reasons our motivation fizzles out and how to turn it around.

We'll talk about: 

• the power of having a safe, judgement-free community 
• what social scientists have discovered about what really motivates us. (this may surprise you.)
• the real reason we hit road blocks, plus what we need to break through
• what flow is and how to get more of it, and...
• how to stay motivated day by day

Also Listen To
Episode 20:  Four Ways Your Writing Group Is Holding You Back (and what to look for in your next writing tribe)

Join the Writer Unleashed private Community on Facebook. It's FREE. You'll find support, inspiration, and the tools to move your writing forward in 2021. 

Most first drafts don't stall because writing is hard. They stall because there's a weak link in the foundation. The Story Clarity Worksheet helps you find it. Download yours free at nancipanuccio.com/clarity

How do we create atmosphere in story in a way that evokes mood, and simultaneously reveals the inner life of your character?  Well, you already know how to do this.  

On  today’s episode of Writer Unleashed, we’ll talk about what you instinctively know about creating mood and atmosphere, and how to use your instincts to create it on the page. 

And we’re going to do a writing exercise at the end of the episode, so have your pen and paper handy.

Most first drafts don't stall because writing is hard. They stall because there's a weak link in the foundation. The Story Clarity Worksheet helps you find it. Download yours free at nancipanuccio.com/clarity

You’ve spent months, maybe years writing your story.  So you finally get the courage to send it out into the world - to an agent, a literary magazine, a publisher, or your writer’s group. And then you get a form rejection letter (the worst kind), or feedback from your peers that makes you want to give up the writing life altogether.  

How do you bounce back? 

On today’s episode of Writer Unleashed, I’ll share 3 tips on re-framing rejection so that you can get back in the saddle and write stronger and better than ever.

We'll explore:

• Why stories are rejected
• A few masterpieces that faced years of rejection (this may surprise you)
• The Ship and Learn approach
• When you should be spending more time revising than submitting
• My take on why failure gets a bad wrap

Also, Listen To:
Episode 20. Four Ways Your Writing Group Is Holding You Back (and What To Look For In Your Next Writing Tribe)

Most first drafts don't stall because writing is hard. They stall because there's a weak link in the foundation. The Story Clarity Worksheet helps you find it. Download yours free at nancipanuccio.com/clarity

You can change a character's hair color, geography, age, or gender, but often what inhibits our voice is a concern that we'll offend someone we know. A parent.  A sibling.  A school mate. 

So, what do we do?  We whitewash the truth. Or we avoid writing our story altogether. 

On today's episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll explore:

• 3 reasons you need to tell your story
• Why secrets need to be unloaded
• The power of compassion for yourself and yes, even for your oppressors
• How to own your side of the truth

Also, Listen To
Episode 25: Why Your Voice Matters

Worthy Reads
The Kiss: A Memoir by Kathryn Harrison
Fierce Attachments: A Memoir by Vivian Gornick

 Liberate your voice with my FREE 6-Day Audio Course

Most first drafts don't stall because writing is hard. They stall because there's a weak link in the foundation. The Story Clarity Worksheet helps you find it. Download yours free at nancipanuccio.com/clarity

Your voice is your most fundamental creative asset. But how do you access it? How do you let it flourish on the page? 

On today’s episode of Writer Unleashed, we’ll explore why your voice matters to you --and to your readers. I’ll also give you a writing prompt to invite your voice to come out and play... so have your pen and paper ready.

On today's episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll explore:

• Why craft is useless without voice
• How to avoid a dull, mid-level voice 
• Why your resistance is a good indication that you're on the right track
• A writing exercise to coax your voice onto the page

Also listen to:

Episode 1: Why Write What You Know Is Bad Advice
Episode 10: What is Writer's Voice? 

Want to kick writer's block to the curb? Sign up for my FREE 6-day audio class, Liberate Your Voice.

Most first drafts don't stall because writing is hard. They stall because there's a weak link in the foundation. The Story Clarity Worksheet helps you find it. Download yours free at nancipanuccio.com/clarity

You have captivating characters, a page-turning plot, gorgeous imagery. But as soon as your characters start speaking, does your story falls flat?

Here's the thing. You already know how to write crisp, compelling dialogue.

On today's episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll explore 5 things to pay attention to in the conversations around you. This is all instruction for your story dialogue.

We'll cover:

• Common mistakes writers make when writing dialogue
• Subtext
• Misdirection
• Cross purposes
• Non-verbal dialogue

We'll end with a 2-part eavesdropping exercise.

Want to create multi-dimensional characters who defy stereotype?  Grab your free character questionnaire here. 

Most first drafts don't stall because writing is hard. They stall because there's a weak link in the foundation. The Story Clarity Worksheet helps you find it. Download yours free at nancipanuccio.com/clarity

What's the number  1 mindset that separates great writers from the novice? 

A willingness to embrace uncertainty.  And to not only embrace it but to create, cultivate and dance with it. 

On today's episode of Writer Unleashed, we'll explore:

• How avoiding uncertainty is straitjacketing your writing
• Why  beneath chaos lies order and harmony
• The difference between convergent and divergent thinking
• How to use contradiction to hook readers
• How to collaborate with your uncertainty to produce your most powerful, surprising work. 

Related Episodes
19. Should I Outline Before I Write?
21. How to Craft Your Ideal Story Ending

For more free writing resources, visit me at NanciPanuccio.com

Most first drafts don't stall because writing is hard. They stall because there's a weak link in the foundation. The Story Clarity Worksheet helps you find it. Download yours free at nancipanuccio.com/clarity