In this episode of Writing Break, we take a deep dive into paranormal fiction's lasting appeal and why stories about ghosts, vampires, and other supernatural beings continue to dominate bestseller lists.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• What defines paranormal fiction and why it’s thriving
• How ghosts, vampires, and other creatures function as modern archetypes
• Using the supernatural as metaphor for cultural anxieties and emotional conflict
• The rise of cross-genre paranormal (romance, mystery, thriller, and more)
• Common pitfalls when writing paranormal fiction
• An Overthinking Prompt to help you write a paranormal moment grounded in the ordinary

• More Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

Over the past couple of months, we’ve covered dystopia, utopia, action, adventure, magical realism, children’s literature, satire, and a whole lot of fantasy. This clip show puts some of those writing tip segments together for you as a literary aperitif before we begin Season 9, where we'll be talking about blending all of these flavors together to create your signature genre. I'm very much looking forward to that.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• More Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

In this episode of Writing Break, we explore how to use comedy as a storytelling tool without sacrificing character, plot, or emotional weight.

We’ll look at different types of humor on the page, what satire is meant to critique, and why timing, voice, and intention matter more than punchlines. We’ll also cover the most common mistakes writers make when trying to be funny and how to avoid turning clever jokes into narrative dead ends.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• The difference between humor and satire
• The different types of humor in fiction
• Satire as social and cultural commentary
• Managing tone so humor supports the story
• Common pitfalls when writers try to be funny
• A prompt to see if you can use humor to approach serious topics

• More Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

In this episode of The Writing Break, we explore dystopian and utopian fiction and discuss the latest publishing news.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• Dystopian vs. utopian fiction
• Society as the main character
• Common pitfalls when writing dystopia & utopia fiction
• Amazon’s “Ask This Book” Kindle feature and why the Authors Guild is concerned
• The proposed Anthropic AI settlement and what opting in or out means for authors
• A major U.S. appeals court ruling expanding copyright termination rights worldwide
• The closure of Baker & Taylor and its impact on authors, publishers, and libraries
• Why the Authors Guild is condemning bot-driven book bans in Texas

• More Writing Tips
• Authors Guild Raises Concerns About Kindle’s New “Ask This Book” AI Feature - The Authors Guild
• Opting Out of the Anthropic Settlement: What Authors Should Know - The Authors Guild
• Court of Appeals Agrees with Authors Guild, Rules That Authors’ Copyright Termination Rights Apply Worldwide - The Authors Guild
• Authors Guild Condemns Bot-Powered Book Bans in Texas - The Authors Guild

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

In this episode of Writing Break, we explore the Action and Adventure genre, which is all about forward motion. If you’re writing adventure novels, action scenes, or fast-paced fiction, this episode breaks down the craft behind the thrill.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

1. How to write a compelling adventure
2. How pacing, escalation, setting, and hero resilience work together
3. How to avoid action that feels repetitive or hollow

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

The episode opens with a look at current publishing news affecting authors, including reading behavior shifts and trends. Then we look at the three major stages of children’s literature and why understanding developmental stages matters. Perfect for writers curious about children’s books, writers who think they already understand the category, and anyone interested in how readers develop.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• The latest book trends
• Why writing for kids is so hard
• Picture books and story economy
• Early readers and building confidence
• Middle grade and emotional depth
• Why “books for all ages” do not exist

• More Writing Tips
• Leah Williamson and Richard Osman back National Year of Reading | Books | The Guardian
• Reading and Publishing Predictions: Book Trends to Watch for in 2026
• FT book award enters new partnership with Standard Chartered
• Book Clubs Reading Trends
• BookTok Trends
• Bookstores report sales boom as youth social media ban takes effect
• Predictions: what lies ahead for the book trade in 2026?

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

This week on Writing Break, we’re exploring how to weave the extraordinary into the ordinary without breaking the spell of magical realism. We're also discussing Amazon's increasing censorship of authors and artists.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

1. How it differs from fantasy and why the magic must stay unexplained
2. Techniques to balance realism and wonder
3. Common pitfalls that break the spell
4. The Latin American roots of magical realism and its global legacy
5. A writing prompt to help you find the extraordinary in the everyday

• More Writing Tips
• The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break
• Free Style Sheet Templates

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

Who are you becoming as a writer? Forget making a list of New Year's resolutions; instead, write a narrative for 2026. This bonus episode includes prompts for a creative reset to prepare you for the year ahead.

• More Writing Tips
• Free Style Sheet Templates

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

This Christmas Day bonus episode explores the creative power of stubbornness and includes three reflective prompts to help you close out your year with clarity and intention.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• Why writers need stubbornness
• How it protects your voice.
• How it carries books across the finish line

• More Writing Tips
• The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break
• Free Style Sheet Templates

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

In the final part of our Fantasy Subgenre Series, we explore the soft side of the genre: Cozy Fantasy, Slice-of-Life Fantasy, Eco-Fantasy, Children’s Fantasy, YA Fantasy, Comical/Satirical Fantasy, Fairy-Tale Fantasy, and Fairy-Tale Retellings.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• Creating stillness and gentle magic
• Land-based storytelling
• Intensity and transformation in YA Fantasy
• Why some readers crave gentleness
• The paradox at the heart of enchantment

• More Writing Tips
• "Take This Longing" by Leonard Cohen
• Writing Fantasy: Building Worlds That Breathe - Writing Break
• The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break
• Free Style Sheet Templates

Music licensed from Storyblocks.