Helping Writers Become Authors

Learn how to seamlessly transition out of big set pieces in your story. Discover practical tips for scene structure and transitions.

Discover effective strategies for writing the parts you don't like and maintaining creative flow through elements that trigger resistance.

Learn how to troubleshoot your story's ending and craft a compelling climax. Tips on character arcs and themes for a satisfying conclusion.

Unlock the power of self-awareness in your writing journey with the Enneagram types for writers. Learn strengths and weaknesses of Types 5-9.

Discover Enneagram types for writers and how they can enhance your understanding of yourself and your craft. Types 1-4 in this episode.

Unleash archetypal settings in your stories. Discover how symbolic and archetypal settings elevate narratives and resonate with readers.

Start off right with this checklist for beginning your story. Grab your readers' attention and keep them engaged by establishing the plot.

 Learn the four basic types of setting as a way to help you choose story settings that create meaningful connections among characters.

Delve into the alchemy of character arc. Explore the parallels between alchemy, Jungian analysis, and story structure.

Master the art of introducing your characters in your first chapter. Learn to hook readers and lay the foundation for character development.

Discover the power of shadow archetypes in character development. Join the Shadow Archetypes course to write stories of depth and complexity.

Learn the art of writing deeply emotional fiction. Discover six tools to infuse stories with emotional resonance that lingers for readers.

Learn how to use antagonists to create unforgettable plots. Strengthen narratives and build your characters' journey with this skill.

Use this essential guide to backstory to share the history of your characters and story world with your audience at just the right moments.

Learn how to regain a sense of creative fulfillment in the business of writing and get tips for managing the pressures of marketing fiction.

Five reasons marketing is hard for writers and how to flip your mindset to embrace marketing and business as tremendous opportunities.

Writing multiple plotlines in your fiction doesn't have to be hard. Learn to navigate the intricacies while balancing the pros and cons.

Turns out my personal experiences this year perfectly represent what I want to say about the importance of Flat Arcs in character development.

Before we say goodbye to the old year, let's take a look at what were, according to your pageviews, my top 10 writing posts of 2023.

Check out some of my favorite books from 2023 in three categories: Fiction, Writing How-To, and General Non-Fiction.

Knowing how to market a book starts with identifying your personal marketing ethos. After that, take these six steps to connect with readers.

Time management for writers starts with practical steps for aligning your daily schedule to your vision for your writing life.

To create fiction that offers life-changing hope, authors must be willing to also embrace the power of despair in fiction. Here are 5 tips.

Consider the following four approaches to how to use archetypes in a series so you can determine which feels most resonant for your story.

Whether you're using a guided approach or just freewheeling, here are five ideas for how meditation can inspire your next story idea.

Based on six transformational character arcs, these Archetypal Character Guided Meditations will help writers brainstorm even better stories.

Here are four tips for how to use antagonistic proxies to your advantage, depending on your story's needs, without complicating your story.

An overview of the main concerns when deciding where to start plotting a story, depending on where it makes the most sense for you.

One of the best tricks for writing memorable character relationships is to think of each relationship as an entity of its own. Here's how.

What happens when you lose the joy? Learn how to rediscover the joy of writing you experienced way back at the beginning of your journey,

Learning how to identify plot devices and fully support them on every page of your story is a huge step toward writing cohesive and resonant fiction.

Six tips for how to write interesting happy scenes that will become some of your readers favorite moments in the story.

Understanding some of the main types of scenes can help you recognize which choice is right for your story at any particular moment.

Understanding what your character fears can offer significant insights into your story and its underlying themes.

Learn how the Lie the Character Believes is a gauge of the character's relationship with reality--and how to use it to upgrade character arcs.

Writers can find value and nuance by digging deeper into the functionality of these four terms in answering: "What does your character want?"

All four terms--Ghost vs. wound vs. Lie vs. weakness--refer to a pain point for your character. Here's how to understand the nuances.  

Join me for a peek into my daily routine as a full-time writer!

How to transform imposter syndrome for writers from an enemy into a tool for growing yourself throughout the journey of the writing life.

Here are five places in your story where you can use your character's shadows to create amazing complexity and thematic resonance.

"Shadow theory" is one of the most intuitive tools a writer can use to identify the contrasting elements that create complex characters.

Four reasons why the dismissive statement "it's just a story" is not only erroneous, but one of humanity's most the dangerous lies.

Step-by-step guide to finding the right book cover designer, preparing for the design process, and achieving an effective collaboration.

Discover the versatile and effective technique of the backstory drip by learning four techniques for revealing backstory in your story.

Backstory techniques are crucial to the success of any story. Backstory-as-story and alternating timelines are two possible approaches.

Learn how to use four specific backstory techniques to share character histories with your audience, starting with prologues and flashbacks.

When "good writing" strikes its steel upon the flint of archetypes, there is a sudden unity of truth between author and reader.

Learn how organic themes arise from plot (and vice versa) and specifically how to recognize five important elements of an organic theme.

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.

Learning how to write mystery stories involves the most impressive trick of all: outsmarting readers while still playing fair with the clues.

Learning how to write historical fiction requires the skills to a well-drawn story, with the added responsibility of evoking times gone by.

Learning how to write romance requires both strong technique and the courage to write vulnerably about this integral part of life.

Fantasy combines imagination and innovation with deep roots in archetype and myth. Here are five tips for how to write fantasy.

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.

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.

Long-term writer's block can be scary and confusing. Here are six important lessons to help you through the experience.

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.

Check out some of my favorite books from 2022 in three categories: Fiction, Writing How-To, and General Non-Fiction.

Discover important ingredients, ideas, and tools to help you tell your stories even in situations that may not be the best places to write.

Examines why negative reviews of your book may be impacting you and how to re-center your perspective afterwards.

Creating unique character voices is one of the great challenges of writing fiction. Here are nine considerations and five tips for creating yours.

Explores nine negative character arcs in the Enneagram personality theory, including the thematic Truths the characters are missing.

Explore nine positive character arcs in the Enneagram personality theory, including the Lie each character starts out believing.

Do you need personal experience to write about something? Turns out there are four ways to "know" something, and experience is just one.

Here are seven tips for how to add complexity to your story without crossing the line into unwanted complications.

You want your story to be complex, not complicated. Is your story too complicated? Here are nine important things to think about.

One of the most important keys to creating good fiction is understanding how to write emotional scenes in a way that feels genuine.

A closer look at the mechanics of structural timing. What is it? Why is it important? And how precise does it have to be?

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.

How you structure a story with multiple main characters will depend on which type of plot you're working with.

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.

Is opening your story in medias res compatible with the Three-Act Structure? The secret is in understanding how the First Act functions.

If your story suffers from cardboard characters, it probably also suffers from plot contrivances. Good news: if you fix one, you fix both.

In many ways, the New Normal World of a story's Resolution is what successfully completes the context of the entire story.

The Underworld of a Story's Third Act is symbolically important for creating powerful and realistic change with your characters and plot.

Writers can use the metaphoric Adventure World of a story's Second Act to better understand this crucial part of story structure.

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.

If you want to deepen the complexity of your story's theme, one tool you can employ is Robert McKee's thematic square.

Use these six ways to find your best ideas for writing your book, as you cultivate, channel, and honor your deeper inspiration.

Examines the role of the antagonist in the second half of a story's structure--the Second Pinch Point through the Resolution.

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?

Should writers make it a habit to write every day? Here are five pros of writing every day, as well as five potential cons.

Writing a second novel can often be surprisingly harder than the first one. Check out six challenges sophomore writers often face.

Ask these important questions to make sure the passage of time in a story is strengthening rather than weakening its narrative power.

Here are six important considerations to keep in mind when amping up your story's most important scenes--its set-piece scenes.

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?

Creating an amazing supporting cast that can offer important relationship dynamics in fiction will also help develop your protagonist.

Learn how archetypes and story structure mirror each other in any individual book and can be used to further strengthen your story.

Here are a five important questions you, as a writer of fiction, can ask yourself to help you in making story structure your own.

There’s nothing incorrect in using confrontation to create conflict in fiction. But to understand conflict as only confrontation is too narrow a definition.

Here are this writer's New Year reflections, focusing on six "gifts" I gave myself and why I believe they were profoundly life-changing.

The two halves of the Climactic Moment require the story's final sequence to offer two very specific beats: Sacrifice and Victory/Failure.

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.

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.

The First Plot Point is often referred to as a threshold, a visual metaphor representing the native two-sidedness of all structural beats.

A series examining the two important "halves" in each of story structure's major beats, beginning with the Inciting Event in the First Act.

Find out what defines repetitive scenes, as well as strategies for recognizing and avoiding them in your fiction.

The archetypal antagonists for the Mage Arc often manifest subtly--not  in obvious "evil," but in an ordinary person's weakness.

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.

The archetypal antagonists for the King Arc are the Cataclysm and the Rebel, both of which challenge the King to culminate his rule.

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.

The antagonists for the Hero Arc can be seen archetypally as both the Dragon and the Sick King.

The antagonists for the Maiden Arc can be seen archetypally as both her Authority Figures and a frightening Predator.

A series looking at the archetypal antagonists inherent within each of the six main archetypal "life arcs."

How can you tell what your story's premise is telling readers? Here are four questions you can ask about your story's premise.

The tremendous (but sometimes misunderstood) significance of the Climactic Moment in the ending of a story.

The role of the antagonist varies depending on the nature of the protagonist's character arc.

Should you edit as you go? The best choice has much to do with a writer's personality, strengths, weaknesses, and even lifestyle demands.

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.

How can you apply archetypal character arcs in a practical way to your own stories? Here are five considerations for choosing archetypes.

The final Flat archetype of the Mentor is one of the most significant within human storytelling.

The Flat archetype of the Elder provides crucial guidance for enacting important change in surrounding characters.

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.

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.

A deeply nuanced archetype that evolves with us for most of our lives, the Flat archetype of the Lover is inherent and integral.

The archetype of the Child is necessarily an archetype of deep vulnerability and surprisingly powerful impact upon other characters.

Flat archetypes are often seen teaching other characters some of the same lessons they just learned in their own previously completed arcs.

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?

If the character cannot powerfully transition into the final act of life, the risk is that of sliding into the Crone's shadow archetypes.

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.

The Queen’s shadows have the potential to block her possibility for a positively transformative archetypal character arc.

The Hero’s shadow archetypes of Coward and Bully are especially important (and cautionary) due to the pervasiveness of the Hero’s Journey.

Out of fear and egoism, the Maiden's shadow archetypes would prevent her from embracing a new perspective and completing her journey.

Each positive character archetype inherently represents a struggle with related shadow archetypes--one passive and one aggressive.

The powerful and mysterious Mage Arc--the final archetypal character arc--turns its attention to questions of power and surrender.

The Crone Arc begins the final act of the “life arcs” by presenting an inevitable and imperative Underworld Journey.

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.

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.

The Hero Arc is the story of the conquering champion--the ingenuous but perhaps immodest youth setting out to do a great deed.

As the "youngest" of the archetypal character arcs, the Maiden Arc represents the quintessential coming-of-age story.

For a writer, one of the most exciting explorations of archetype can be found within specific archetypal character arcs--or journeys.

Why are archetypal stories so important and what does this mean for you as a writer attempting to channel these deep patterns of existence?

It is not too simplistic or idealistic a statement to say that storytelling--and therefore story theory--is a quest for meaning.

Pairing the Karpman Drama Triangle and the Empowerment Triangle offers a fantastic tool for creating solid character arcs.

Seven writing lessons to inspire, ground, and encourage you in moving forward into the wide new frontier of 2021.

Every writer knows about daydreaming. But what about dreamzoning? How can it help you cultivate inspiration for your storytelling?

The problem of overthinking your writing is really part of the larger challenge of learning how to live a truly creative lifestyle.

Scene sequences bring together a series of individual scenes into a distinct narrative section, united by focus, location, and/or theme.

Growing as a writer is not merely about mastering a skill, but also, and more pertinently, about our growth as human beings.

An overview of chiastic story structure itself, along with four tips to employ this technique over the longer work of an entire series.

How can you keep your pacing tight and the story interesting over the long haul of the Second Act? The simplest answer: Mind the Midpoint.

Learn to identify and leverage several important story structure similarities between your story’s Pinch Points.

Deepen your understanding of story structure by examining the parallel functions of the First Plot Point and the Third Plot Point.

You can think of the link between your story’s Hook and Resolution in four different ways. Ask these questions to help in brainstorming.

Structurally speaking, the Inciting Event initiates the story's conflict, while the Climactic Moment fully resolves it.

Once you've decided in favor of the indie route, what are the actual steps to self-publish your book? Use this actionable list.

Your antagonist's motivations can make or break your story. If they are weak, unconvincing, or complicated, your story suffers in key areas.

Once you understand why you are afraid to let anyone read your writing, you can come up with a successful plan to mitigate the fears.

Your story instincts and your ability to tap into them clearly will define how much "talent" you may have as a writer.

Learning how to write sequel scenes is a specialized technique that will allow you to grip readers' attention on every page.

Want to help writers during the pandemic? Here are five ideas--along with giveaways to help you get started in bolstering the writing community.

The more lightly we grab hold of certain misconceptions about being a writer, the more easily we can discard them when they're no longer of use to us.

Whether you're outlining or editing, here are four questions you can ask to help identify, rectify, or prevent plot holes.

Sooner or later, procrastination is stumbling block for most of us. As an INTJ, here are my top four tips for how to get stuff done as a writer.

Writing looks a little different in every stage of a writer's life. Here's a look at the way your age affects your writing in the Three Acts of your life.

How to better understand the four cognitive functions as a writer by consciously developing them--Intuition, Sensing, Thinking, and Feeling.

To help you improve your writing and storytelling, here are eleven exercises you can use to consciously access your visual thinking and creativity.

Have questions about editing your novel? The best way to find good answers is to ask good questions. Here are eight excellent questions about editing.

Controlling and cutting down on distraction is the first step in reclaiming our full creative capacity. Here are 13 tips to get started!

In order to grab readers, you'll need to consider several specific types of hooks for your opening chapter. You may want to use one--or all of them.

If you find you don't feel like writing right now, here's a list of 15 important writing tasks you may be more in the mood for.

The more you learn to listen to the self that appears on the page, the more writing improves your relationship with yourself in an ever-deepening journey.

Sometimes the hardest part of getting some writing done is just... doing it. Here are 10 tips for cultivating discipline and renewing enthusiasm.

Writing and stories have the power to help all of us--but especially writers. Here are seven ways writing can help us keep going in times of uncertainty.

If you're writing from home (or honestly, trying to accomplish just about anything from home), here are eight tips for maximizing your daily routine.

Want to put something good into the world right now? Here are five ways the power of hopeful stories can create change in a positive way.

Knowing your story's ending will help you know the right answer to almost any POV question. Let's look at 5 questions about using multiple POVs.

Your goal in introducing characters should be to do so with the least amount of info possible while still making the characters memorable. Here's how!

When creativity becomes a servant of the ego, rather than the other way around--we can get confused about what we're doing and why.

Here are fourteen professional writing resources to help with all parts of authorpreneurship: writing, editing, blogging/podcasting, book formatting, marketing.

Learn how to be critical of stories in a way that turns the potential for negativity into a positive force that drives your own creativity.

Of all the many aspects of scene structure, scene dilemmas are among the most powerful but also the most overlooked. Here are six steps to acing yours.

Life creates art, but life also devours art. Learn how important it is for committed artists to take steps to protect creativity.