Writing Break

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.

In Part II of our Fantasy Subgenre Series, we explore the darker and more modern branches of fantasy: Dark Fantasy, Grimdark, Urban Fantasy, Contemporary/Modern Fantasy, Paranormal Fantasy, Romantasy, Progression Fantasy, LitRPG, and Gamelit.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

1. What defines each subgenre?
2. Why do readers love them?
3. How does magic, character, and structure shift across newer fantasy genres?
4. Is your magic system essential, atmospheric, metaphorical, or structural?

• More Writing Tips
• Writing Fantasy: Building Worlds That Breathe - Writing Break
• The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break
• Free Style Sheet Templates

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

In Part I of this three-episode Fantasy Subgenre Series, we dive into the grand-scale branches of fantasy: Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Low Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Historical Fantasy, Alternate History, Mythic Fantasy, Indigenous/Mythic-Region Fantasy, Portal Fantasy, Science Fantasy, Steampunk, and Gaslamp Fantasy.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• What defines each subgenre?
• Why do readers love them?
• How can you use world-building, magic systems, and narrative scope to shape your own stories?
• Which element of your world is doing the most narrative heavy lifting?

If you love building worlds, bending history, or stepping through portals without warning, this episode is your map.

• More Writing Tips
• Writing Fantasy: Building Worlds That Breathe - Writing Break
• The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break
• Free Style Sheet Templates

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

Pour yourself something spiced and settle in as we revisit writing tips from this season’s genre deep dives.

• More Writing Tips
• The Biggest Mistake Writers Make - Writing Break
• 7 Literary Conflicts Explained (Clip Show #11) - Writing Break
• Free Style Sheet Templates

Music licensed from Storyblocks.

If your book is “for everyone,” it’s actually for no one. In this sharp yet encouraging episode, we tackle one of the biggest hurdles for new authors: not wanting to be boxed in by genre.

Overthinking Couch Topics:

• Identify your book’s genre and emotional promise.
• Avoid the “genre blender” mistake that confuses readers.
• Use genre conventions as creative and marketing tools.
• Communicate your book’s identity in one professional sentence.
• Decide when and how to blend genres.

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

Music licensed from Storyblocks.