When the Writing Stops Being Fun
It’s November 19. If you’re participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMO), you’re about to finish up your third week of writing. By this point, you have almost certainly experienced a dip in enthusiasm. I’ll bet those first two weeks were exciting. You were pounding out words and making progress. You were moving through Act I…
Blaine Bradshaw on Editing a Superior Story — The Writing Coach 083
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #83 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Blaine Bradshaw. Blaine is a freelance editor with 10 years experience that started in…
Nikól Peterman on Letting Go of What’s Holding You Back — The Writing Coach 081
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #81 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with artist success coach Nikól Peterman of Zen Red NYC. Nikól is a certified empowerment…
The Importance of Staying Nimble: NaNoWriMo, The Miracle Morning… and Cat Poo
I recently joined Self-Made Man, a membership site providing video training focused on health, relationships, and business. One of the courses contained in the site is hosted by Hal Elrod, author of the book The Miracle Morning: The 6 Habits that Will Transform Your Life Before 8 am. After a near death experience, Elrond decided to…
4 Options for What to Do with Editorial Feedback
At some point during the book development process, you’re going to receive editorial feedback. Whether it’s feedback from an agent, editor, critique partner, or writing coach, someone with experience and/or perspective is going to provide you with advice about how to improve your work. What you choose to do with that advice is up to…
The World Doesn’t Need Your Book
When aspiring authors ask writing coaches and successful creatives advice on how to get motivated and break through blocks, the response is inevitably the inspiring reassurance: “The world needs your book.” This is, of course, not just a platitude, but straight-up bullshit. The world doesn’t need your book. The world has enough books. Think of the people…
The Secret Trick to Dramatically Improving Your Scenes
When I interviewed Shawn Coyne, author of The Story Grid, for one of the earliest episodes of The Writing Coach podcast, he stressed one of the most important skills a writer must master is how to craft a great scene. I agree with Coyne. In fact, one of the best pieces of writer’s craft advice…
4 Awesome Ways to Ensure You Celebrate Small Wins While Writing a Book
At your day job, you’ve probably spent long hours working to complete a project or implement a new process only to have your boss and colleagues completely fail to notice the effort you put in. Or maybe you’ve made major body composition changes by following a strict diet and a focused exercise program, only to…
Jennifer Blanchard on being a Multi-Passionate Author — The Writing Coach 077
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. In episode #77 of The Writing Coach podcast, I speak with Jennifer Blanchard. Jennifer a multi-passionate author, screenwriter, blogger, and coach who is on a mission…
15 Incredible Movies about Writers and Writing — The Writing Coach 076
Welcome to The Writing Coach. On this podcast, I speak with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors who help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work. Writing is often solitary work. The most exciting moments in the process of drafting a book or screenplay are largely internal moments that take…
