Helping Writers Become Authors
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S18:E17: Character Misdirection: How to Write False Allies and False Enemies
September 28, 2026 · 18 minCharacter misdirection does more than set up clever betrayals. By using False Allies and False Enemies, writers can deepen conflict, complicate character arcs, and create plot twists that feel both surprising and inevitable. In this…
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S18:E16: The Impact Character: Why Every Character Arc Needs One
September 14, 2026 · 17 minWhat is an Impact Character, and how can this supporting character help you show a believable character arc instead of simply telling readers your protagonist has changed? Character arcs are largely internal, which creates an obvious…
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S18:E15: 5 Ways to Identify Your Writing Weaknesses (and Become a Better Writer)
August 31, 2026 · 22 minHow do you identify your writing weaknesses? And, even more importantly, how can you tell if something really is a weakness? In this episode, I share five ways writers can recognize recurring craft problems, strengthen weak areas, and…
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S18:E14: The Lie the Character Believes: A Deeper Look at Consciousness and Character Arc
August 3, 2026 · 28 minWhat if the Lie the Character Believes isn't really a lie? For years I've taught the Lie the Character Believes as the foundation of character arc. But over time, I've come to see that this concept may point toward something much deeper…
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S18:E13: The Psychology of Story Endings (+5 Tips to Write a Truly Satisfying Ending)
July 20, 2026 · 27 minA great ending is about much more than resolving the plot. Why do satisfying story endings stay with us for years, while others leave us empty? In this video, I explore the psychology of story endings. When we think about writing endings…
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S18:E12: Why We Need Heroic Stories: The Courage We Borrow From Fiction
July 6, 2026 · 24 minWhy do we need heroic stories? More than entertainment, the best stories shape our imaginations, awaken courage, and remind us who we can become when life asks something difficult of us. In this episode, I share a recent experience that…
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S18:E11: How to Write Mythic Fiction: 7 Practices to Reconnect With the Lost Art of Mythmaking
June 15, 2026 · 24 minWhen we talk about mythic fiction, it's easy to assume mythic stories are created through familiar ingredients: archetypes, symbolism, old myths, epic structure. But I don't think that's where mythic storytelling begins. In this…
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S18:E10: How to Write Mythic Fiction: Stop Borrowing Old Myths and Start Creating New Ones
June 1, 2026 · 26 minWhat makes a story feel truly mythic? Many writers assume mythic fiction comes from borrowing archetypes, retelling old myths, or layering symbolic imagery into a story. While there is immense value in studying mythology, fairy tales…