Story Physics: Reaction Beats

Story Physics: Reaction Beats

Newton’s third law says every action will have an equal but opposite reaction. This is true in stories, too … or at least it should be. How do we get to know characters, even as they flit from one conflict-ridden chase scene to the next? Through reaction beats.

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Episode 39: Allison Speka, Self-Published Romance Author

Episode 39: Allison Speka, Self-Published Romance Author

Romance author Allison Speka joins the pod to discuss her journey into writing and self-publishing. She talks about her love for the romance genre and shares her experience with self-publishing, including tips on cover design, book marketing, and the value of learning from other indie authors.

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Writing Quotes To Motivate and Inspire
Why is Strong Character Development Important?

Why is Strong Character Development Important?

Strong character development arcs make better stories. Here are some tips on writing characters that readers will connect with and root for.

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Episode 7: Jessica Brody, Author and Writing Teacher

Episode 7: Jessica Brody, Author and Writing Teacher

An interview with author and writing teacher Jessica Brody, where we discuss what makes a compelling story, how to apply story structure whether you're a plotter or pantser, and tackling large-scale revisions without ripping your hair out.

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Writing the Protagonist and Antagonist

Writing the Protagonist and Antagonist

One question many writers have when they begin work on a novel is how to write a compelling protagonist and antagonist. These are vital roles to function well in a manuscript. How do we make sure they leap off the page?

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Episode 1: Chris Baty, Founder of NaNoWriMo
How Long is a Chapter?

How Long is a Chapter?

How long is a chapter? This is a question I get all the time from writers. In this video, I'll ask you some leading questions that will allow you to figure out that ideal chapter count or chapter-length for yourself in your particular project.

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Brighten Even The Foggiest Story Idea

Brighten Even The Foggiest Story Idea

Story ideas don’t always come easily, but sometimes we get glimmers that turn into a list of foggy ideas. How do we decide which new idea to run with? And how do we take steps to make it shine?

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Pacing in Writing

Pacing in Writing

Pacing is the engine that keeps that story going and keeps your reader's interest level high. One of the most important things that I teach when it comes to pacing with writing is the balance of action and the information. Information is dense. It moves slowly. Action is fast. It moves quickly. It has nothing to do with page count, but everything to do with the balance of what's in those pages.

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How To Be More Intentional With Chapter Structure

How To Be More Intentional With Chapter Structure

Chapter structure, like plot structure, is key to achieving a believable and engaging narrative. Here’s how to make sure your chapters are complete and doing as much work for you and your story as possible.

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