Helping Writers Become Authors
Episodes
Ep. 625: Why There's No Such Thing as "Just a Story"
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Four reasons why the dismissive statement "it's just a story" is not only erroneous, but one of humanity's most the dangerous lies.
Ep. 624: Tips on Hiring and Working with a Book Cover Designer (And New Cover Reveal for Dreamlander!)
08 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Step-by-step guide to finding the right book cover designer, preparing for the design process, and achieving an effective collaboration.
Ep. 623: The Backstory Drip (Backstory Techniques, Pt. 3 of 3)
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the versatile and effective technique of the backstory drip by learning four techniques for revealing backstory in your story.
Ep. 622: Backstory-as-Story vs. Alternating Timelines (Backstory Techniques, Pt. 2 of 3)
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Backstory techniques are crucial to the success of any story. Backstory-as-story and alternating timelines are two possible approaches.
Ep. 621: Prologues vs. Flashbacks (Backstory Techniques, Pt. 1 of 3)
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to use four specific backstory techniques to share character histories with your audience, starting with prologues and flashbacks.
Ep. 620: How Archetypes Changed My Life and My Writing
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When "good writing" strikes its steel upon the flint of archetypes, there is a sudden unity of truth between author and reader.
Ep. 619: Here Are Two Ways to Write Organic Themes
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how organic themes arise from plot (and vice versa) and specifically how to recognize five important elements of an organic theme.
Ep. 618: Genre Tips: How to Write Literary Fiction
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Learning how to write literary fiction can be helpful not only in writing the genre itself, but in raising the vibration on any type of story.
Ep. 617: Genre Tips: How to Write Mystery
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Learning how to write mystery stories involves the most impressive trick of all: outsmarting readers while still playing fair with the clues.
Ep. 616: Genre Tips: How to Write Historical Fiction
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Learning how to write historical fiction requires the skills to a well-drawn story, with the added responsibility of evoking times gone by.
Ep. 615: Genre Tips: How to Write Romance
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Learning how to write romance requires both strong technique and the courage to write vulnerably about this integral part of life.
Ep. 614: Genre Tips: How to Write Fantasy
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Fantasy combines imagination and innovation with deep roots in archetype and myth. Here are five tips for how to write fantasy.
Ep. 613: 5 Tips for How to Return to Writing After a Long Break
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Making a return to writing after a long time away can feel overwhelming or even bewildering. Here are five tips to set you up for success.
Your Story Isn't Working? Here Are 6 Problems to Troubleshoot
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you currently feel your story isn't working, double-check you've ticked these six important boxes in writing a cohesive story that works.
6 Lessons Learned From 4 Years of Writer's Block
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Long-term writer's block can be scary and confusing. Here are six important lessons to help you through the experience.
Ep. 610: Looking Back on 2022: 5 Reflections on a Year of Healing
02 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I share with you 5 gifts from a year of healing, in hopes you may also find them healing or inspiring in your own journey into the New Year.
Ep. 609: 15 of My Favorite Books in 2022
12 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out some of my favorite books from 2022 in three categories: Fiction, Writing How-To, and General Non-Fiction.
Ep. 608: What Are the Best Places to Write? 15 Tips to Create the Perfect Writing Space
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Discover important ingredients, ideas, and tools to help you tell your stories even in situations that may not be the best places to write.
Ep. 607: 8 Tips for Dealing With Negative Reviews of Your Book
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Examines why negative reviews of your book may be impacting you and how to re-center your perspective afterwards.
Ep. 606: Top 14 Tips and Tools for Creating Unique Character Voices
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Creating unique character voices is one of the great challenges of writing fiction. Here are nine considerations and five tips for creating yours.
Ep. 605: 9 Negative Character Arcs in the Enneagram
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Explores nine negative character arcs in the Enneagram personality theory, including the thematic Truths the characters are missing.
Ep. 604: 9 Positive Character Arcs in the Enneagram
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Explore nine positive character arcs in the Enneagram personality theory, including the Lie each character starts out believing.
Ep. 603: Do You Need Personal Experience to Write About Something?
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Do you need personal experience to write about something? Turns out there are four ways to "know" something, and experience is just one.
Ep. 602: 7 Tips for How to Add Complexity to Your Story
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Here are seven tips for how to add complexity to your story without crossing the line into unwanted complications.
Ep. 601: Is Your Story Too Complicated? Here Are 9 Signs
22 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You want your story to be complex, not complicated. Is your story too complicated? Here are nine important things to think about.
Ep. 600: How to Write Emotional Scenes (Without Making Them Cringey)
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most important keys to creating good fiction is understanding how to write emotional scenes in a way that feels genuine.
Ep. 599: How Perfect Does Your Story's Structural Timing Have to Be?
08 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A closer look at the mechanics of structural timing. What is it? Why is it important? And how precise does it have to be?
Ep. 598: 13 Rules to Be a Better Beta Reader
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Not all beta readers are created equal. Just as you can learn to be a better writer, you can also learn to be a better beta reader.
Ep. 597: How to Structure Stories With Multiple Main Characters?
25 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How you structure a story with multiple main characters will depend on which type of plot you're working with.
Ep. 596: 7 Tips for Opening Your Story In Medias Res
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the pros and cons of opening your story in medias res (or "in the middle" of action) and use these tips to refine your use of it.
Ep. 595: Clearing Up Some Misconceptions About In Medias Res
11 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Is opening your story in medias res compatible with the Three-Act Structure? The secret is in understanding how the First Act functions.
Ep. 594: 8 Ways to Avoid Cardboard Characters (and Plot Contrivances While You're At It)
27 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If your story suffers from cardboard characters, it probably also suffers from plot contrivances. Good news: if you fix one, you fix both.
Ep. 593: Understanding the New Normal World of a Story's Resolution
20 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In many ways, the New Normal World of a story's Resolution is what successfully completes the context of the entire story.
Ep. 592: Understanding the Underworld of a Story's Third Act
13 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Underworld of a Story's Third Act is symbolically important for creating powerful and realistic change with your characters and plot.
Ep. 591: Understanding the Adventure World of a Story's Second Act
06 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Writers can use the metaphoric Adventure World of a story's Second Act to better understand this crucial part of story structure.
Ep. 590: Understanding the Normal World of a Story's First Act
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Authors need to understand the four "worlds" represented within a story's structure, the first of which is the Normal World of the First Act.
Ep. 589: Deepening Your Story's Theme With the Thematic Square
23 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to deepen the complexity of your story's theme, one tool you can employ is Robert McKee's thematic square.
Ep. 588: 6 Ways to Find Your Best Ideas Before You Start Writing
16 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Use these six ways to find your best ideas for writing your book, as you cultivate, channel, and honor your deeper inspiration.
Ep. 587: The Role of the Antagonist in Story Structure, Pt. 2 of 2
09 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Examines the role of the antagonist in the second half of a story's structure--the Second Pinch Point through the Resolution.
Ep. 586: The Role of the Antagonist in Story Structure, Pt. 1 of 2
02 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The major plot beats in a story are interwoven with the protagonist's journey. But what is the role of the antagonist in story structure?
Ep. 585: Do You Have to Write Every Day? 10 Pros and Cons
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Should writers make it a habit to write every day? Here are five pros of writing every day, as well as five potential cons.
Ep. 584: The 6 Challenges of Writing a Second Novel
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Writing a second novel can often be surprisingly harder than the first one. Check out six challenges sophomore writers often face.
Ep. 583: 14 Tips for Dealing With the Passage of Time in a Story
11 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ask these important questions to make sure the passage of time in a story is strengthening rather than weakening its narrative power.
Ep. 582: 6 Ways to Craft Spectacular Set-Piece Scenes
28 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Here are six important considerations to keep in mind when amping up your story's most important scenes--its set-piece scenes.
Ep. 581: How to Know When You're a Successful Author?
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The question of "how to know when you're a successful author?" offers some obvious answers--and yet the subject is far more complex.
Ep. 580: Should You Take a Break From Writing? 5 Red Flags
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When should you take a break from writing? And once you've taken that step, what in heaven's name are you going to do with yourself?
Ep. 579: 9 Ways to Approach Relationship Dynamics in Fiction
21 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Creating an amazing supporting cast that can offer important relationship dynamics in fiction will also help develop your protagonist.
Episode #578: Archetypes and Story Structure: How They're Connected
14 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how archetypes and story structure mirror each other in any individual book and can be used to further strengthen your story.
Ep. 577: Making Story Structure Your Own
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Here are a five important questions you, as a writer of fiction, can ask yourself to help you in making story structure your own.
Ep. 576: Conflict in Fiction: What It Really Is and Why It's Important to Plot
31 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There's nothing incorrect in using confrontation to create conflict in fiction. But to understand conflict as only confrontation is too narrow a defin...
Ep. #575: The Writer's Inner Critic: 10 Ways to Tell if Yours Is Healthy
24 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Learn how to increase the health and effectiveness of the writer's inner critic while diminishing toxic effects.
Ep. 574: A Writer's New Year Reflections: The 6 Gifts I Gave Myself in 2021
10 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Here are this writer's New Year reflections, focusing on six "gifts" I gave myself and why I believe they were profoundly life-changing.
Ep. 573: The Two Halves of the Climactic Moment
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The two halves of the Climactic Moment require the story's final sequence to offer two very specific beats: Sacrifice and Victory/Failure.
Ep. 572: The Two Halves of the Third Plot Point
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The two halves of the Third Plot Point work together to create a scene arc that moves from the False Victory to the Low Moment.
Ep. 571: The Two Halves of the Midpoint
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The halves of the Midpoint are unique in story structure in that they mark the dividing line between the two halves of the entire story arc.
Ep. 570: The Two Halves of the First Plot Point
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The First Plot Point is often referred to as a threshold, a visual metaphor representing the native two-sidedness of all structural beats.
Ep. 569: The Two Halves of the Inciting Event
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A series examining the two important "halves" in each of story structure's major beats, beginning with the Inciting Event in the First Act.
Ep. #568: 6 Questions to Help You Avoid Repetitive Scenes
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Find out what defines repetitive scenes, as well as strategies for recognizing and avoiding them in your fiction.
Ep. 567: Archetypal Antagonists for the Mage Arc: Evil and the Weakness of Humankind
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The archetypal antagonists for the Mage Arc often manifest subtly--not in obvious "evil," but in an ordinary person's weakness.
Ep. 566: Archetypal Antagonists for the Crone Arc: Death Blight and Tempter
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The archetypal antagonists for the Crone Arc are represented as a Death Blight and as the subtle Tempter who would lure her from the Truth.
Ep. 565: Archetypal Antagonists for the King Arc: Cataclysm and Rebel
27 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The archetypal antagonists for the King Arc are the Cataclysm and the Rebel, both of which challenge the King to culminate his rule.
Ep. 564: Archetypal Antagonists for the Queen Arc: Invader and Empty Throne
20 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Usually the archetypal antagonists for a Queen Arc are represented by the Invader in the outer conflict and the Empty Throne in the inner conflict.
Ep. 563: Archetypal Antagonists for the Hero Arc: Dragon and Sick King
13 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The antagonists for the Hero Arc can be seen archetypally as both the Dragon and the Sick King.
Ep. 562: Archetypal Antagonists for the Maiden Arc: Authority and Predator
06 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The antagonists for the Maiden Arc can be seen archetypally as both her Authority Figures and a frightening Predator.
Ep. 561: Archetypal Antagonists for Each of the Six Archetypal Character Arcs
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A series looking at the archetypal antagonists inherent within each of the six main archetypal "life arcs."
Ep. 560: The Main Reason Your Story's Premise Is Important
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How can you tell what your story's premise is telling readers? Here are four questions you can ask about your story's premise.
Ep. 559: 3 Things to Know About the Ending of a Story
09 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The tremendous (but sometimes misunderstood) significance of the Climactic Moment in the ending of a story.
Ep. 558: How the Antagonist Functions in Different Types of Character Arcs
02 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The role of the antagonist varies depending on the nature of the protagonist's character arc.
Ep. 557: Should You Edit As You Go?
26 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Should you edit as you go? The best choice has much to do with a writer's personality, strengths, weaknesses, and even lifestyle demands.
Ep. 556: Why Everyone Should Write (Even if You Think You Stink)
19 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The world needs us all to be writers and creators. It needs the next Pulitzer winner, and it needs the scribbled poem forgotten on a napkin in a cafe.
Ep. 555: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 22: How to Use Archetypal Character Arcs in Your Stories
05 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How can you apply archetypal character arcs in a practical way to your own stories? Here are five considerations for choosing archetypes.
Ep. 554: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 21: The Flat Archetype of the Mentor
28 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The final Flat archetype of the Mentor is one of the most significant within human storytelling.
Ep. 553: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 20: The Flat Archetype of the Elder
21 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Flat archetype of the Elder provides crucial guidance for enacting important change in surrounding characters.
Ep. 552: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 19: The Flat Archetype of the Ruler
13 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Flat archetype of the Ruler represents the potential period in a person's life in which he or she is in a position of leadership.
Ep. 551: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 18: The Flat Archetype of the Parent
07 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We don't often think of the Flat archetype of the Parent with the same enthusiasm as we do the Hero. And yet they are intrinsically linked.
Ep. 550: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 17: The Flat Archetype of the Lover
31 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A deeply nuanced archetype that evolves with us for most of our lives, the Flat archetype of the Lover is inherent and integral.
Ep. 549: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 16: The Flat Archetype of the Child
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The archetype of the Child is necessarily an archetype of deep vulnerability and surprisingly powerful impact upon other characters.
Ep. 548: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 15: Introduction to the 6 Flat Archetypes
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Flat archetypes are often seen teaching other characters some of the same lessons they just learned in their own previously completed arcs.
Ep. 547: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 14: The Mage's Shadow Archetypes
10 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Will the character triumph--or succumb in the end to the powerful temptations of either of the Mage's shadow archetypes, the Miser or the Sorcerer?
Ep. 546: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 13: The Crone's Shadow Archetypes
03 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If the character cannot powerfully transition into the final act of life, the risk is that of sliding into the Crone's shadow archetypes.
Ep. 545: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 12: The King's Shadow Archetypes
26 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Whether this powerful character brings life to the Kingdom depends on if he is in the grip of the King's shadow archetypes of Puppet and Tyrant.
Ep. 544: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 11: The Queen's Shadow Archetypes
19 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Queen's shadows have the potential to block her possibility for a positively transformative archetypal character arc.
Ep. 543: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 10: The Hero's Shadow Archetypes
12 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Hero's shadow archetypes of Coward and Bully are especially important (and cautionary) due to the pervasiveness of the Hero's Journey.
Ep. 542: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 9: The Maiden's Shadow Archetypes
05 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Out of fear and egoism, the Maiden's shadow archetypes would prevent her from embracing a new perspective and completing her journey.
Ep. 541: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 8: Introduction to the 12 Shadow Archetypes
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Each positive character archetype inherently represents a struggle with related shadow archetypes--one passive and one aggressive.
Ep. 540: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 7: The Mage Arc
22 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The powerful and mysterious Mage Arc--the final archetypal character arc--turns its attention to questions of power and surrender.
Ep. 539: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 6: The Crone Arc
15 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Crone Arc begins the final act of the "life arcs" by presenting an inevitable and imperative Underworld Journey.
Ep. 538: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 5: The King Arc
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Although the plot in a King Arc can be absolutely epic, it is a fundamentally spiritual arc--more so than any that have preceded it.
Ep. 537: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 4: The Queen Arc
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The majestic Queen Arc builds upon the lessons learned in the Hero's Journey to create an archetypal character arc that offers a worthy sequel.
Ep. 536: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 3: The Hero Arc
21 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Hero Arc is the story of the conquering champion--the ingenuous but perhaps immodest youth setting out to do a great deed.
Ep. 535: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 2: The Maiden Arc
15 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As the "youngest" of the archetypal character arcs, the Maiden Arc represents the quintessential coming-of-age story.
Ep. 534: Archetypal Character Arcs, Pt. 1: A New Series
08 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For a writer, one of the most exciting explorations of archetype can be found within specific archetypal character arcs--or journeys.
Ep. 533: An Introduction to Archetypal Stories
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Why are archetypal stories so important and what does this mean for you as a writer attempting to channel these deep patterns of existence?
Ep. 532: Story Theory and the Quest for Meaning
25 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It is not too simplistic or idealistic a statement to say that storytelling--and therefore story theory--is a quest for meaning.
Ep. 531: 3 Character Arcs in the Karpman Drama Triangle
18 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Pairing the Karpman Drama Triangle and the Empowerment Triangle offers a fantastic tool for creating solid character arcs.
Ep. 530: 7 Writing Lessons Learned in 2020
04 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Seven writing lessons to inspire, ground, and encourage you in moving forward into the wide new frontier of 2021.
Ep. 529: What Is Dreamzoning? (7 Steps to Finding New Story Ideas)
29 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Every writer knows about daydreaming. But what about dreamzoning? How can it help you cultivate inspiration for your storytelling?
Ep. 528: 7 Steps to Stop Overthinking Your Writing
23 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The problem of overthinking your writing is really part of the larger challenge of learning how to live a truly creative lifestyle.
Ep. 527: 5 Questions About Scene Sequences
16 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Scene sequences bring together a series of individual scenes into a distinct narrative section, united by focus, location, and/or theme.
Ep. 526: Are You Growing as a Writer? (Here's the Only Way to Tell)
09 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Growing as a writer is not merely about mastering a skill, but also, and more pertinently, about our growth as human beings.