Writer Unleashed

294. Mid-Draft Slump? How to Move Your Story Forward

You've written the scenes. Your characters are doing things. So why does the middle of your story still feel like quicksand? If your first instinct is to add more, h

293. What Trusting Your Story (and Yourself) Looks Like

You’ve read the craft books, tried the frameworks, written hundreds of pages, and you still can’t quite see what your story needs. In this episode, I’m talking about wha

292. The Gap Every First-Time Writer Needs to Cross

You can Google anything about writing. Ask AI. Read every craft book on the shelf. And still sit down to your own pages and feel exactly as stuck as before. It's no

291. 4 Writing Myths Slowing You Down

There's no shortage of writing advice out there. Outline everything before you start. Don't outline, you'll kill the magic. Follow a beat sheet. Trust your

290. Why Your Messy Middle Isn't the Problem

Is the middle of your story really the problem, or is something else going on? If you've ever stared at word forty thousand wondering how you lost your way, you&apo

289. Why Your Story Feels So Much Harder Than It Should (4 Things I've Learned From Coaching Writers)

If you have a story worth telling and still feel completely lost, you're not behind, and you're not alone. After years of working with first-time novelists and

288. Show, Don't Tell: What Writers Get Wrong

You’ve heard “show, don’t tell” a thousand times. But what does it actually mean to show effectively? And when is telling exactly what your story needs? In this episode,

287. Why Your Story Feels Overcrowded (And What to Cut)

Your story has several characters, multiple storylines, and probably some childhood flashbacks that keep sneaking in. And you can't quite answer the question every w

286. 3 Reasons You Want to Quit Mid-Draft (and Why You Shouldn't)

Ever thought about quitting your draft and starting something new? You're not alone - lots of writers do. But before you abandon your story, listen to this episode f

285. What Overthinking Is Costing Your Novel

Whether you're staring at a blank page or halfway through a draft, overthinking can bring your novel to a standstill. Different symptoms, same root cause: both write

284. How to Double Your Writing Output Without Adding More Hours

For years I measured my work ethic by how many hours I put in at my desk. I'd arrive, coffee in hand at 7am, break around  Noon for lunch, back at my desk till 6 or

Encore Episode: How To Write Exposition Without Boring Your Reader

How much exposition is too much? Should you begin your story with exposition? And how do you write exposition in a way that isn’t excessive, awkward, or dull? In this en

283. What's Making your Dialogue Read False (and What To Do About It)

Most writers know when their dialogue isn't working. What they don't know is why. In this episode, I'm breaking down the three mistakes that make dialogue

282: 5 Mindsets That Separate Writers Who Finish From Those Who Don't

If you've been writing your novel or memoir for months, maybe even years, and you still can't seem to cross the finish line, this episode is for you. Because th

#281. The Secret to Writing Unforgettable Secondary Characters

Every character in your story is living a full, invisible life - not just your protagonist. In this episode, I'm breaking down the three levels of character, why sec

280. Chapters vs. Scenes: What Most Writers Get Wrong

You think in chapters. You write in chapters. And that might be exactly why revision feels impossible. In this episode, I tackle one of the most universal misconceptions

279. 4 Secrets to Irresistible Story Openings

Most writers know their opening matters. But knowing it and nailing it are two different things. In this episode, I'm breaking down four real book openings to show y

Encore: 3 Ways to Make Writing Fun Again

What do you do when writing starts feeling heavy and overwhelming? When it stops being fun? In this encore episode we'll look at what causes these feelings and how

278. Why Your Story Is Stuck (And What's Really Missing)

Your story feels stuck. You've reread the chapters, moved scenes around, added more conflict. But something still isn't working and you can't name what it

277. 3 Must-Have Traits of A Believable Antagonist

When an antagonist feels like just another plot device, readers sense it -  and disengage. In this episode, I'm sharing three must-have traits that change everything