Writer Unleashed

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 episode, I explain what these terms actually mean, how to identify where your manuscript falls on the spectrum, and—most importantly—how to strengthen whichever element needs more support. You'll learn the two most common problems writers face and get one simple exercise to help you re...

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 planning without ever drafting. In this episode, I walk you through the essential things you need to know before you write your first scene. So you can stop overthinking and start writing today.

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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, you'll learn three proven techniques to create page-turning tension in any genre. No car chases or explosions required.

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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 memoir and fiction: what you can and can't do in memoir, how much creative license you have, and when to choose one form over the other. Plus: the surprising ways memoir and fiction use the exact same narrative techniques.

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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 in the messy middle.

Every writer faces it. The difference is, some know how to push through.

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down why the middle of a draft feels so hard—and how to revive your story so you can actually finish it.

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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.

Too often, writers get stuck in backstory, mundane routines, or quirky details that don’t really matter yet. The result? A flat introduction that fails to spark curiosity or connection.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

• Why your protagonist’s introduction carries so much weight.
• The 4 most...

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 mean you’ve failed. It means you’re deep in the work. 

And the good news? There’s a way through.

In this episode, I’ll help you zoom out, find the heart of your story again, and get back on track. So you can turn that overwhelming pile of pages into a novel or memoir that actually works.

If y...

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 day jobs.

In this episode, we’ll dive into the stories of famous writers who turned paychecks into pages, and how you can, too. 

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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 just haven't learned how to dig deeper. While other writers chase the next shiny concept, successful authors know how to mine the gold that's already there.

In this episode, discover the specific questions that reveal whether your story has legs, plus the proven techniques for ...

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 when the magic fades.

In this episode, I’ll share why this happens, the mindset shifts that help you stay the course, and four practical strategies to keep you moving forward even when the middle gets messy.

You’ll learn how to stop chasing new ideas, stay connected to the story you’ve alrea...

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. In this episode, I’m dismantling three of the most common myths that keep writers stuck and replacing them with truths you can lean on. So you can keep showing up for your story with a sense of wonder and unshakeable confidence. 

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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: the wrong backstory, delivered the wrong way, at the wrong time is the problem.

Used with intention, backstory can reveal the wounds and desires that drive your character, raise the stakes, and transform an ordinary scene into one that lingers with readers.

In this episode, I’ll share:

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 episode, I'm sharing 3 powerful strategies to craft a first sentence that grabs your readers' attention and keeps them wanting more.  

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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 outright, or having another character comment on it, but through behavior, inner voice, and choices that reveal an internal shift.

In this episode, we’re breaking down what character transformation looks like on the page, and 4 powerful ways to show it.

Whether your character evolves in sub...

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 and feel what’s left unsaid. But when it doesn’t? It falls flat, feels forced, or gets skimmed over entirely.

In this episode, I’m breaking down three essential tips to help you write dialogue that feels authentic, but curated. Natural, but emotionally charged. We’ll look at what to c...

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 hopeful, maybe even excited, and then the feedback came. And now you’re spiraling.

Maybe they pointed out something you thought you’d nailed, or they didn’t understand your main character, or they told you something that deep down you already feared might be true.  And now the voice in you...