Libsyn Directory

Episode 45 - How to Write Series Novels (with Malorie Cooper)

Release Date: 11/12/2020

Episode 58 - Outlining Your Novel Before You Write (with Sadeqa Johnson)

Write Your Best Book

Now, before you scroll past this episode because you’re a die-hard pantser, and just seeing the word “outline”makes you cringe, stop scrolling. Trust me. I’m not here to convert anyone in the plotter v pantsers debate one way or another. In fact, I am well and truly a middle-of-the-road person when it comes to this topic. But this week, we’re not talking about plotting out your entire novel, even down to planning out each scene. Nope. I honestly feel that’s taking it to the extreme. I do believe, however, that doing some basic outlining, planning, and preparing before you begin...

Episode 57 - Creating Realistic, Relatable, and Complex Protagonists

Write Your Best Book

As authors, we all know our novels need to have characters who leap off the page and grab our readers’ attention and stay with them long after the book is finished, especially the protagonist. But how do we develop and write a protagonist who not only stands out but is unique, relatable, and complex? This week, I sat down with an author who has been labeled as a “master of suspense,” Lisa Unger. We discussed how she writes her books and fills them with complex characters that have layers, like those in her books like CONFESSION ON THE 7:45. This episodes is pure gold and one you...

Episode 56 - Researching Facts When Writing Fiction (with Tim Dorsey)

Write Your Best Book

When you hear the words “fact” and “fiction,” I’m guessing you consider them mutually exclusive. I also bet you would wonder why I suggest to all my author clients that they conduct fact research before they write their books. Here’s the thing. While it’s true that fiction writing is entirely based on creating made up stories with fictional characters in often fictional settings and in fictional situations, something many authors don’t realize is that even fictional stories are based somewhat on real places, situations, and sometimes people. And if you don’t include fact...

Episode 55 - Striking a Balance Between Narrative & Dialogue (with Wendy Walker)

Write Your Best Book

Something I think all writers struggle with during the writing process is striking a balance between dialogue and narrative. It’s something many of my coaching clients have come to me worried about. But the reality is, there’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to how much of each to include in your novel. That still doesn’t give us any guidance, though, so this week, we’re discussing some things to consider while writing to help you decide how much narrative and how much dialogue is right for you and for your novel. In this episode, you will: Learn the difference...

Episode 54 - Developing a Consistent Story Arc in Series Novels (with Shelley Shepherd Gray)

Write Your Best Book

Thinking of writing a novel series? Series are highly popular with publishers, agents, and readers because, after all, who doesn’t love to find a great new book then find out the characters and the story aren’t quite finished yet. But as writers, we are often intimidated by the thought of trying to “stretch” a story over 3 or more books. It can seem like daunting task. But if executed properly, a series can not only become wildly popular with your readers but help you grow your brand and sell more books. This week, we’re discussing how to write an entertaining story arc that...

Episode 53 - Co-Authoring Bestselling Fiction (with Liv Constantine)

Write Your Best Book

Have you ever thought about co-authoring a book? If you’re wise, you’re active in at least a couple online communities for writers, which allows us the opportunity to connect with writerly folk we might never have met in the “real world.” So, I think when we work so closely (albeit remotely) with other likeminded creatives, it’s natural that so many of us think about co-authoring a book. And it’s becoming increasingly popular lately to even see “famous” authors pairing up to write a great novel. On this week’s episode, I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to sit down...

Episode 52 - Evoking Emotions in Readers Through Your Writing (with Allen Eskens)

Write Your Best Book

As authors, our ultimate goal when sending our writing out into the world, should not just be to sell as many books as possible or even for readers to simply love our work. What we should be aiming for is for the reader to not just enjoy our stories but to FEEL something when they read our words, which we spent weeks, months, or even years stringing together. There are certain things a writer must do and certain techniques he/she must employ for a reader to feel anything at all when reading our books. To create all the feels in their readers, an author must master not just the written word but...

Episode 51 - Writing Entertaining but Accurate Historical Fiction (with Jennifer Robson)

Write Your Best Book

Welcome to season two of Write Your Best Book! This season, we’re shifting focus slightly. Last season, we sat down with some of the biggest/best influencers in the writing community. This season, we’re still discussing all the struggles every author faces on their writing journey, only with well-known, bestselling, HUGE authors. And here to kick of this amazing new year and new content, we have Author Jennifer Robson on the show to talk to us about how to write entertaining but still accurate historical fiction. It’s a can’t miss episode, folks! In this episode, you will:...

Episode 50 - How to Write Thrillers (with Joanna Penn)

Write Your Best Book

Y’all…Joanna Penn is in the house!! Need I say more? But seriously…who better to have as a guest host on our final episode of season one for this podcast than THE Joanna Penn, The Queen of all things creative! I’m sure you all know her as the creative genius behind The Creative Penn, but she’s also a thriller author in her own right (under JF Penn). And since I love reading (and writing) a good thriller, I knew there was no one better to feature on this last episode of the year than Joanna herself. So, sit back and enjoy this final episode of 2020, and we’ll see you all back in...

Episode 49 - How to Build Your Marketing Platform (with James Blatch)

Write Your Best Book

What exactly is a marketing platform? As our guests host this week, James Blatch of The Self-Publishing Show, explains, it’s all the things you do to promote your book both before and after you publish it. Yes, that’s right. There are several promotional things you should be doing long before you publish, and some even before you finish writing your book! And since I know so many of you struggle with ways to sell more books, this week’s episode will teach you all the little things you may not have even thought about that will increase your sales for your current book and all your future...

More Episodes

Everyone loves a good Netflix binge these days, and the book world equivalent is finding a wonderful, well-written book series you can bury yourself in for weeks, months, or even longer. Readers love series novels because they grow so attached to the characters in the first book and so immersed in the world the author created, they know it doesn’t have to end after a few hundred pages. There’s more of the same waiting in the next book, and the next, and the next. But as authors, I think we get intimidated by the thought of writing series novels because of the time commitment involved, as well as not being sure exactly how to stretch a good story over three or more books. So, this week, we’re going to explore the world of series novels.

In this episode, you will: