Writer Unleashed
Episodes
304 episodes
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 instincts instead. Structure will flatten your story. Structure will save it.No w...
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're in the right place. In this episode, I'm sharing why the muddy, messy midd...
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 memoir writers across every genre, I've noticed the writers who struggle the most ar...
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, we’ll look at common ways writers get showing wrong, what strong sho...
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 writer eventually has to face: what is your story about?If you've ...
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 first. Most of the time, the urge to start over isn't really about t...
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 writers are trying to solve problems they're not ready to solve yet, overthinking to...
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 7pm, sometimes later. I thought putting in the time was the thing that wou...
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 encore episode, we'll talk about how to write exposition in a way th...
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 read false, and what to do to turn it around. So your reader feels like they're eavesdrop...
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 the writers who finish their books don't have more talent, time, or a better story con...
#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 secondary characters so often fade into the background, and what you need to know ...
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 I see in first-time novelists — confusing chapters with scenes. I'll expla...
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 you exactly what's working beneath the surface, why it hooks readers, and what 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 to make your writing joyful again. We'll cover:...
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 is.There's a layer underneath every stuck story that most writers never think to e...
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, and why getting this right might be the most important craft decision yo...
Encore: Mothers Who Write: Finding the Time, Energy, and Support
How do mothers balance writing with parenthood? Whether you're a mom of young children, or a single parent holding down a full time job and a full brood, carving out space to write can feel challenging, if not impossible.This e...
276. Why You Can't Start Your Book (And How to Get Unstuck)
Have a story you're burning to tell but can't figure out where to begin? Think other writers have it easier? You're not stuck because you're not a real writer. You're stuck because you're waiting to feel ready. And that's exactly what's keeping...
275. The Mid-Draft Slump: How to Believe in Your Book Again
You started your book on fire. Now you sit down to write and feel blank. Or worse, you've started to feel disenchanted by your own story. If you've hit the mid-draft slump and started wondering whether your story is good enough, or whether you ...
274. 3 Mistakes I See In Almost Every First Draft
If your first draft feels like it's wandering — like you're generating pages but not quite writing a story — this episode is for you.After coaching and editing hundreds of first-time novelists and memoir writers, I keep seeing the same t...
273. Why Writers Quit (And Why You Shouldn't)
Every writer hits a wall mid-project. The draft isn't working, the rejections are stacking up, and quitting starts to feel like the logical choice. But quitting isn't protecting you from failure. It's guaranteeing it. In this episode, I break d...
#272: Why Your Story Dies in the Middle (And the One Thing That Brings It Back to Life)
Every writer knows the feeling. Your story is on fire, you're excited about what's on the page. Then somewhere in the middle, something dies. The excitement fades. The scenes stop feeling alive. And no matter how many times you reread or rework...
#271: The Thing That's Quietly Keeping You From Finishing Your Book
If you've ever hit a rough patch in your draft and found yourself reaching for another craft book, another podcast, another writing group, this episode is for you. Finishing your book gets harder when outside voices drown out your own instincts...
#270: Why Writing Feels Harder Than It Has To
Most writers assume the struggle is just part of the deal. That if it feels hard, they must be doing something wrong, or not working hard enough, or not talented enough. What if none of that is true? This episode will change the way you think a...