S17:E16: Why Intentional Storytelling Matters in an Era of AI and Algorithm-Driven Content
Helping Writers Become Authors
Release Date: 07/07/2025
S17:E28: Reflections on Turning 40 (+40 Things You Might Not Know About Me)
Helping Writers Become Authors
Today, I’m turning forty and taking a quiet moment to reflect on the decade that brought me here. My thirties were a season of transformation, challenge, and deep awakening. They changed me utterly, teaching me about pain as a portal, creativity as a life force, and story as the map that guides us home to ourselves. In this episode, I’m sharing 40 Things You Might Not Know About Me—a blend of the personal and the profound, from lessons on love, self-sovereignty, and radical ownership, to small joys like morning rituals and the comfort of old movies. It’s a celebration of what it means...
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S17:E27: 5 Ways to Keep the Story Moving Between the Big Moments
Helping Writers Become Authors
Do you ever feel stuck in the “in-between” sections of your story that come after one major plot point but before the next? You’re not alone. Many writers can identify the big beats of their story’s structure, but find the real challenge is connecting those plot points in a way that feels organic and alive. In this episode, K.M. Weiland shares a powerful shift in perspective: learning to see your story not just as a list of beats or acts, but as eight connected sections, each one shaped by the turning point before it and driving toward the one ahead. You’ll learn how to: Build...
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S17:E26: The Real Purpose of the Second Act (And Why You Can’t Skip It)
Helping Writers Become Authors
What would stories be without their long, uncertain middles? In this episode, we explore the real purpose of the Second Act in story structure. The Secodn is the heart of every story, where transformation happens. You’ll learn why this “middle” isn’t just filler, but the symbolic journey that tests your characters, deepens your theme, and gives your ending power and meaning. Whether you’re struggling with the “murky middle” or want to understand how to make your story’s structure feel organic and emotionally resonant, this discussion will help you see the Second Act for what it...
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S17:E25: "Who Am I?" The Midpoint as Self-Recognition in Story Structure
Helping Writers Become Authors
Discover how the Midpoint in story structure is more than a Moment of Truth. It’s self-recognition in which characters remember who they are.
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S17:S24: Big vs. Small Character Arcs: Understanding the Degrees of Change in Storytelling
Helping Writers Become Authors
Not every story needs a protagonist who undergoes a massive, life-altering transformation. Some of the most memorable tales hinge on smaller, quieter shifts, or even on characters who remain steadfast throughout. In this episode, we’ll explore the full spectrum of character arcs: Big arcs that redefine a protagonist’s worldview Small arcs that mirror the subtle growth we experience every day Flat arcs where characters stay true but still drive change in others We’ll also talk about how to decide which degree of change best fits your story, why arcs that are mismatched to the plot...
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S17:E23: How a Character’s Personality Shapes Arc, Voice, and Goals
Helping Writers Become Authors
What makes a character unforgettable? It’s not just quirks or dialogue. It’s personality. Your characters' personalities shape their arcs, influence their voices, drive their goals, and and connect plot and theme into a cohesive whole. In this episode, we’ll explore why personality is the secret ingredient to compelling storytelling and how you can use it to create characters who resonate with readers long after the final page. You’ll Learn: 3 reasons personality is the foundation of great characters 4 ways personality drives storytelling (arc, voice, conflict, theme) 10...
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S17:E22: Why All Stories Are Myth—and How They Transform Us
Helping Writers Become Authors
Why All Stories Are Myth (and How They Transform the Psyche) What if every story you’ve ever loved—whether it’s Spirited Away, The Lord of the Rings, or Pride & Prejudice—wasn’t just entertainment or even “realistic” fiction, but myth in disguise? In this week’s episode of the Helping Writers Become Authors podcast, we explore the mythic foundation of narrative and why all stories are myth at their core. Together, we’ll look at how archetypal story structure emerges across cultures and genres, why every character in a tale can be seen as an aspect of the psyche, and how...
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S17:E21: What's Happened to Modern Storytelling? (+ 6 Ways Storytelling Can Find Its Soul Again)
Helping Writers Become Authors
Feeling bored at the movies? Learn what's happened to modern storytelling and what it will take to restore the magic and emotional impact.
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S17:E20: Writing Better Character Conflicts With the 5 Conflict Management Styles
Helping Writers Become Authors
Here's how writers can apply the five conflict management styles to create richer, more realistic character conflicts in your fiction.
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S17:E19: The 5 Types of Scene Endings Every Writer Must Master
Helping Writers Become Authors
Discover the 5 types of scene endings—Yes, No, No But, and No And—and why one of them might be weakening your story’s momentum.
info_outlineIntentional storytelling means making creative choices with purpose. Here’s why that matters more than ever in an AI-driven content world.