Writer Unleashed
Episodes
#281. The Secret to Writing Unforgettable Secondary Characters
16 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
280. Chapters vs. Scenes: What Most Writers Get Wrong
09 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 unive...
279. 4 Secrets to Irresistible Story Openings
02 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 boo...
Encore: 3 Ways to Make Writing Fun Again
26 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
278. Why Your Story Is Stuck (And What's Really Missing)
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Your story feels stuck. You've reread the chapters, moved scenes around, added more conflict. But something still isn't working and you can&...
277. 3 Must-Have Traits of A Believable Antagonist
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When an antagonist feels like just another plot device, readers sense it - and disengage. In this episode, I'm sharing three must-have traits t...
Encore: Mothers Who Write: Finding the Time, Energy, and Support
05 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ful...
276. Why You Can't Start Your Book (And How to Get Unstuck)
28 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 y...
275. The Mid-Draft Slump: How to Believe in Your Book Again
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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&...
274: 3 Mistakes I See In Almost Every First Draft
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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.Aft...
#273: Why Writers Quit (And Why You Shouldn't)
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 choic...
#272: Why Your Story Dies in the Middle (And the One Thing That Brings It Back to Life)
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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...
#271: The Thing That's Quietly Keeping You From Finishing Your Book
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 e...
#270: Why Writing Feels Harder Than It Has To
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 n...
#269: How to Write Backstory Without Killing Momentum
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Backstory creates a dilemma: you need to give readers context about the past, but the moment you stop your forward-moving plot to explain it, you lose...
#268: How to Write Riveting, Believable Dialogue: 3 Essential Techniques
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What makes dialogue believable? It's not what you think. In this episode, I'm breaking down three techniques that bring conversations to lif...
#267: What to Cut From Your Novel and What to Keep: 3 Questions to Help You Decide
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Every writer faces this moment: staring at a bloated manuscript, knowing something has to go, but terrified of making the wrong call. The usual advice...
#266: 3 Ways To Amp Up Romantic Tension In Your Story
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Many writers think romantic tension comes from obstacles keeping compatible people apart. A jealous ex. A misunderstanding. A job in another city. But...
#265: First Encounters: 4 Ways To Signal Romantic Connection Without the Cliches
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The first encounter between your would-be lovers is not about instant chemistry or love at first sight. It’s where the emotional logic of your entir...
#264: 5 Writing Blocks That Feel Impossible To Cross But Aren't
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Writers face blocks that feel insurmountable but aren't. Discover the 5 story barriers keeping you stuck - outlining traps, getting lost in the m...
#263: Why You Can't Finish Your First Draft (and the Simple Shift To Get It Done)
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Can't finish your first draft? Perfecting your outline for months? Staring at a blank page afraid you'll write something bad? These look lik...
#262: Finding the Story in Your Rough Draft (Even When It’s a Mess)
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You have material - notes, scenes, a rough draft. But you can't quite see the story yet. In this episode, I'll show you four simple question...
#261: 3 Pacing Mistakes That Kill Your Opening
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You've revised your opening five times. Cut hundreds of words. Tightened every sentence. But readers still lose interest before they finish Chapt...
#260: When Life Gets Busy: Staying Connected to Your Writing
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When life ramps up, writing is usually the first thing to slip through the cracks. Deadlines, family demands, celebrations, travel, and the general De...
#259: When Your Story Feels Too Big to Finish: 4 Ways To Work Through Overwhelm
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling like your work-in-progress is spiraling out of control? You're not alone. This episode tackles that overwhelming moment when your story f...
#258: The First Read of Your First Draft: What to Look For and What to Ignore
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your first read-through of a first draft can feel like stepping into unknown territory. You’re excited to see what you made, but you’re also braci...
#257: How to Weave Multiple Storylines Into One Cohesive Story
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If your novel or memoir juggles multiple storylines—different timelines, narrators, or settings—you might wonder how to keep it all cohesive. In t...
#256: Character-Driven vs. Plot-Driven: Finding Your Story's Natural Balance
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What's the difference between a character-driven story and a plot-driven story? And how do you know which one you're writing? In this episod...
#255: From Idea to Page: 5 Steps to Start Writing
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Got a story idea but don't know where to begin? You're not alone. Many writers either freeze at "Chapter One" or spend months plan...
#254: 3 Ways To Create Page-Turning Suspense in Any Genre
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Suspense isn't just for thrillers—it's what makes readers unable to put down any story, from memoir to fantasy to romance. In this episode...
#253: Whose Story Is It? Making Sense of Multiple POVs
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writing a story with multiple POVs? In this episode, we’ll unpack how to keep your narrative focused, decide which characters need full arcs, and ma...
#252: Memoir vs. Fiction: The Key Differences (and Surprising Similarities)
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Memoir is true, fiction is made up - but how does that change your actual storytelling? In this episode, I break down the key differences between memo...
#251: Why Story Structure Has You Stuck (and How to Fix It)
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve been wrestling with story structure, this episode will help you see it differently. Learn what’s really keeping you stuck and how to fin...
#250: The Messy Middle: Why Drafts Lose Steam (and How to Revive Yours)
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever hit that point in your draft where the words feel heavy, the story starts to wander, and your momentum disappears—you’ve landed i...
#249: 5 Reasons You're Still Not Finished With Your Novel
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If your novel or memoir keeps stalling out, it’s not about talent or discipline. Chances are, something else is getting in your way. This episode un...
#248: First Impressions Matter: Introducing Your Protagonist the Right Way
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your protagonist’s first appearance can make or break your story. That opening impression tells your reader whether they should lean in, or move on....
#247: When You're Lost In The Mess Of Your Draft: How To Get Back On Track
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every writer hits that moment mid-draft where the story feels too big, too messy, too unclear. But getting lost in the middle of a draft doesn’t mea...
#246: The 9-to-5 Novelist: Why Your Day Job Might Be Your Secret Weapon
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most writers dream of quitting their jobs to write full-time. But here’s the twist: many of the greatest authors did their best work while juggling ...
#245: When Great Story Ideas Fizzle Out (and How to Prevent It)
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most story ideas that excite you at 2 AM seem paper-thin by Thursday afternoon. Here's the truth: your idea probably isn't too small, you ju...
#244: 4 Strategies to Finally Finish the Story You Start
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have a folder full of half-finished drafts? You’re not alone. Almost every writer has started a story with excitement, only to abandon it whe...
#243: What If I’m Not Good Enough? A Pep Talk for New Writers
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every writer wrestles with doubt from time to time. But if you don’t know how to handle it, that doubt can stall your story for months or even years...
#242: Writing Backstory: 3 Game-Changing Tips
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Backstory often gets blamed for slowing a story down. Writers are told to cut it, sprinkle it lightly, or avoid it altogether.But here’s the truth: ...
#241: 3 Ways To Write A Hook-Worthy First Sentence
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your opening line is your reader’s first invitation into your story, so it has to do more than just start the book. It has to hook. In this episod...
#240: 4 Powerful Ways To Show Character Change
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We don’t just read stories to find out what happens. We read to witness who a character becomes.So how do you show that change? Not by stating it ou...
#239: 3 Quick Tips For Writing Stronger Dialogue
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When dialogue works, it feels alive. It's charged with tension. It reveals character, drives the plot, and leaves space for the reader to lean in...
#238: What To Do When Feedback Shakes Your Confidence
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve finally shared your pages with someone. Maybe it was a critique partner, a writing group, an editor, or beta reader. You were nervous, but ho...
#237: 3 Writing Myths That Might Be Holding You Back
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a lot of writing advice out there, but not all of it serves you. In this episode, we’re unpacking 3 common writing myths that might be slo...
#236: From Chaos To Clarity: How To Make Sense Of Your Messy Draft
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writing your first novel can feel like dumping 1000 puzzle pieces onto the floor without the picture on the box to guide you. You've got characte...
#235: Why You’re Stuck At Chapter One (And How to Finally Move Forward)
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Struggling to get past chapter one, even with a solid outline and a great idea? In this episode, we unpack why starting your novel feels so hard, what...
#234: 5 Big First Chapter Mistakes (and How To Avoid Them)
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we’re zeroing in on one of the most important (and most rewritten) parts of your novel: the first chapter.A strong first chapter do...
# 233: 3 Essential Elements That Make A Scene
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve written pages. Maybe even chapters. But your scenes still aren’t landing the way you imagined. The pacing drags. The tension fizzles. And y...
#232: Mental Fitness For Writers
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writing a book isn’t just a creative act—it’s a mental marathon. And if you’ve ever found yourself stuck in self-doubt, overwhelmed by the bla...
#231: 5 Ways to Bring Your Character’s Interior World Onto the Page
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You've got an exciting plot. Compelling characters. And the action is moving along at a crisp pace. But something still feels flat. Chances are, ...
# 230: Getting Out Of a Writing Slump (Without Forcing It)
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stuck in a writing slump? You’re not alone.In this episode, we’re talking about those hard, heavy moments when the words won’t come, your story ...
#229: 5 Ways To End Your Story
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve built your character's world and raised the stakes. But how do you end your story in a way that feels true and unforgettable?In this epi...
#228: 3 Powerful Ways To Open Your Story
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Among the most important (and intimidating) decisions you'll make as a writer is how to begin your story. That opening moment sets the tone, esta...
#227: Say Less, Mean More: The Secret to Writing Great Dialogue
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writing dialog can feel deceptively simple. After all, it's just people talking, right? But in far too many stories, characters are recapping the...
#226: Writing Your Story Setting: 4 Essential Techniques
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Writing your story setting requires more than just pretty language, and does so much more than provide the physical setting. It anchors the reader in ...
#225: From First To Final Draft: 3 Phases Of Revision
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Revising a first draft can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? What do you cut? How do you keep your original vision alive How do you take all the ...
#224: Then vs. Now: The Key To Writing A Strong Retrospective Voice
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Retrospective narrators have the power to tell your story with both raw immediacy and hard earned wisdom. This narrator doesn’t just recall the past...
#223: How To Write A Believable Child Narrator
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There’s something captivating about seeing a story unfold through a child’s perspective. Child narrators strip away the layers of adult logic, cyn...
#222: How To Master The Unreliable Narrator
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The unreliable narrator is one of the most powerful storytelling techniques. Whether you're writing in first-person or third, an unreliable narra...
#221: Writing In First Person: 4 Common Pitfalls and How To Avoid Them
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
First person narration puts readers directly into a character's head, creating an intimate and immediate experience. This perspective allows for ...
#220: 3 Tips For Writing Hook-Worthy Opening Scenes
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your opening scenes are valuable real estate. You don't want to squander them on anything mundane or extraneous.Many writers start way too early ...
#219: Write More, Write Better: 3 Tips For Maximizing Your Time And Energy
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wish you could expand time and give more energy to your writing? In this episode, you'll learn about two types of time - one that restricts ...
#218: When And How To Write Multiple Points Of View
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When is it a good idea to write from multiple points of view, rather than one point of view? And how do you do it? In this episode, I'll cover 4 ...
#217: 3 Reasons Your Scenes Aren't Working And What To Do Instead
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do you do when you're stuck in a scene, or you know the scene isn't working, and you just don't know why or how to move the scene ...
#216: How To Write With More Ease And Expansion This Year
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Now that we're in a brand new year, it's a good time to reflect on what worked in the past year, what didn't work, and most importantly...
Replay: How To Recharge Your Motivation To Write
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve lost motivation and may even have stopped writing altogether. So how do you get your mojo back so you can bring your work in progress to the ...
Replay: The 3 Most Important Things To Evaluate In Your Story
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Getting results in our writing is great. But a result-oriented mindset can hinder creativity and authenticity.In this throwback episode, you'll l...
#215: 3 Character Foundations To Help Structure Your Story
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The most common struggle writers have when writing a novel is structure. Both plotters and pantsers get overwhelmed with the sheer volume of material ...
#214: Why Your Story Matters
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why do we read stories? And why do we write them? We'll uncover the irresistible pull stories have on us, and why your story matters to those who...
#213: How To Show The Passage of Time In Your Novel
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Keeping your story grounded in time balances the pace of your story and helps readers navigate your character’s journey. But how do you show the pas...
#212: 5 Great Gifts For Writers
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Well, it's officially gift giving season, and your family and friends might be asking, “What do you want for Christmas?” Maybe you have a wr...
#211:Cause and Effect: A Character Driven Approach To Plot
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cause and effect is one of the major tenets of a cohesive plot so everything is knit together to shape your story. Every cause leads to an effect. It&...
#210: Beneath the Plot: 3 Character Secrets Driving Your Story
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do you build character into the structure of your story? What's the story beneath the plot?Structure alone won't create the energy and ...
#209: Unpredictable: 4 Ways To Keep Readers Guessing
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Predictability may keep us feeling certain and safe in real life. But it's fatal in story. You never want the reader to see what's coming n...
#208: Beyond Archetype: How To Write A Fascinating Villain
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do you write beyond the stock, archetypical villain? ? How do you make him or her believable and intriguing?How do you surprise us?In this episode...
#207: 5 Questions To Nail Down Your Central Story Idea
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If I were to ask you what is your story’s central idea, could you sum it up in a few sentences?A big challenge many writers face is keeping their st...
#206: 3 Tips For Writing In First-Person
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
First-person often feels like the natural choice when writing a story. But first-person comes with its own set of challenges and limitations. Sometime...
#205: 3 Ways To Build Belief In Your Story
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When reading fiction or a memoir, a reader's brain actively simulates the experience of the characters. The reader becomes so absorbed in the sto...
#204: In Praise of Anti-Heroes: 4 Ways To Make Yours Unforgettable
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is an anti-hero and why do they fascinate us? How do they keep us invested in their plight scene after scene, even as they do immoral, criminal, ...
#203: The 2 Most Important Qualities To Evaluate in Your Story
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Getting results in our writing is great. But a result-oriented mindset can hinder creativity and authenticity. In this episode, you'll learn how ...
#202: 3 Secrets to Writing Effective Backstory
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How much backstory do you really need? How much is too much? Most first-time authors tend to overuse backstory, which can detract from the main story....
#201: How to Get More Writing Done In Less Time
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of the biggest impediments to our writing is time, and we all have unfinished drafts to prove it.It always takes much longer than we think, and th...
Reprise Episode: 5 Reasons You Have Writer's Block and How To Break Through
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We all hit a block at some point in the writing process, even the best of us. Accomplished writers know how to navigate that impasse, to notice when a...
#200: Show vs. Tell, and How To Write Both
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do you show, don't tell? What's the difference? Are you telling when you think you're showing? Or showing the wrong things? Is ther...
#199: 5 Quick and Easy Edits For A Stronger, More Riveting Story
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Writers often feel overwhelmed when it comes to editing. But there's a lot of editing you can do quickly, regardless of where in the process you ...
#198: 3 Ways To Make Writing Fun Again
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What do you do when writing starts feeling heavy and overwhelming? When it stops being fun?In this episode, we'll unwrap what causes these feel...
#197: Character Depth: 4 Hidden Elements Most Writers Miss
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do you flesh out your characters? How do you go deeper?Just as we can't know a person in one glance, we can't know the people in our sto...
#196: Your Complete Guide To Finding And Working With Beta Readers
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Writing a book is not a solo endeavor. Writers rely on beta readers to help them fine-tune their manuscript and ensure its success with agents, editor...
#195: How To Write A Great Plot Twist
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Plot twists are one of the most effective and exciting ways to bring intrigue and suspense to your story, and make it unforgettable. But when not exe...
#194: Scene Goals: Why You Need Them, How To Write Them
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Often what gets in the way of an otherwise great scene is a lack of compelling character goals. Without a goal in each scene, a story lacks two vital ...
Reprise: 3 Powerful Writing Exercises When You Don't Know What To Write
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What do you do when you want to write, but don't think you have anything to say? Or you do have something to say, but don't know how to sa...
193: 5 Must-Have Scenes To Include In Your Story
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Scenes set up the structural pace of your story.Some scenes are more action driven, so they move at a faster clip. Other scenes are more reflective, a...
#192: How To Write Your First And Final Scenes
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you write your first scene over and over, trying to get it just right? But you never feel like you're nailing it?Many writers spend way too mu...
#191: Getting Feedback On Your Writing: A Survival Guide
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever receive feedback on your writing that crushed you to the core? In this episode, learn 5 ways to make sure you not only survive, but get the most...
#190: How To Create Page-Turning Tension
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do you create tension in your story that makes it impossible for readers to put it down?By placing your characters in some kind of danger, even if...
Rewind: How Much Backstory Does Your Reader Really Need to Know?
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How much backstory does your story need? And how much backstory does your reader need?In this reprise episode from the deep in the vault, learn what b...
#189: 5 Ways To Create A More Captivating Antagonist
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Often writers create antagonists who do bad, immoral, sometimes evil things. They might be abusive or neglectful parents. An enemy. Or an otherworld...