May the Fourth Be With You: What Star Wars Taught Me About Storytelling, Childhood, and Writing
Writing Coach Podcast, Kevin T. Johns reflects on how Star Wars shaped his childhood, morality, creativity, and coaching philosophy. Discover why stories matter more than ever.
A Writing Coach’s Guide to 6 Common Mistakes New Authors Make
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares the six most common mistakes he sees first-time authors make—because he made them too. Learn how to fix them and level up your novel.
4 Essential Strategies Every Writing Coach Wants You to Know Before You Start Your Book
Discover 4 proven strategies writing coaches use to help authors finish their books—from time management to accountability and deadlines that actually work.
The Magic of the Messy Middle: Why Writing Is an Iterative Process
As a writing coach, here’s something I say to my clients all the time (and if you’ve worked with me, you’ve probably heard me say it too): writing is iterative. It’s not linear. It’s not one-and-done. And no matter how much we wish we could nail the perfect novel on our first try… we can’t.…
Are You Killing the Tension? 3 Common Mistakes Writers Make With High-Stakes Scenes
Avoid these high-stakes pitfalls! Writing coach Kevin T. Johns reveals 3 common mistakes that flatten tension—and how to fix them fast.
Want Readers to Care? Build Characters Who Bleed (Advice from a Writing Coach)
Want readers to care about your story? Don’t write perfect characters—write ones who bleed. Writing coach Kevin T. Johns shares how flawed, emotionally raw characters drive deeper reader engagement.
Why Star Wars: A New Hope Works (and The Last Jedi Doesn’t): Understanding the Power of a Controlling Idea
Discover why A New Hope became a storytelling classic while The Last Jedi divided fans—through the lens of Robert McKee’s concept of the controlling idea. A must-read for fiction writers who want to master theme.
Setting the Stage for Suspense: How to Use Atmosphere to Raise the Stakes
Writing coach Kevin T. Johns shows how setting can do more than describe a scene—it can raise the stakes, deepen conflict, and drive suspense in fiction.
Before Pixar Animates Anything, They Do This…
Before Pixar animates even a single frame of a film, they do something that might surprise you: They plan. Extensively. Pixar’s movies—be it Up, Inside Out, or my personal favourite, Moana—don’t start with flashy visuals or clever jokes but with story structure. Scenes are mapped out on whiteboards. Character arcs are tested. Emotional beats are pulled apart, rebuilt, and refined.…
How to Escalate Conflict Without Losing Control: A Writing Coach’s Proven Method
Discover writing coach Kevin T. Johns’ proven method for escalating story conflict while keeping control of your narrative and structure. Perfect for thriller, mystery, fantasy, and more.
