Killer Prose

Following genre expectations is key to connecting with readers. But how do you stand out? How do you create something new inside of established structures. In today's episode I talk shop with internationally published author and writing processor Andrew Najberg.

Last episode, I talked about my top 5 resources for horror writers. This week, I'm deep diving Plottr and going through exactly how it's made my process easier and faster.

Writing is hard. For the vast majority of us starting out, it takes months or years to complete a piece of long form content. It takes time to plan a story, and it doesn’t matter if you are a plotter or discovery writer. (Our first drafts just look different)

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This week, I talk about what could have been a major set back, and how these 3 things helped me stay on track to finish my latest book.

Edward Morris joins us to discuss his new book Alphabet of Lighting. We talk about starting out as a professional writer, building relationships with other authors, finding your voice, and so much more. Edward shared some amazing advice and lessons he's earned along the way.

So much has changed, including the name of the show. Writing Fright is now The Killer Prose Podcast. We'll be diving deeper into the Thriller Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, and Suspense -  as well as, horror. In today's episode, I spend the first 15 minutes talking about my goals for 2023, including my production schedule, habits, and wordcounts. In the second half, I dive into how I'm plotting these next three novels and brining on an editor for my extended outlines.

We all need help, especially as we grow as writers. But, what is mentorship and how do we find those people and resources that change our worlds?

Tame that wild story! I wanted to write a book but ended up with a tangle of plots and sub plots. What helped? Learning and prioritizing story beats to write to genre. John Truby's book Anatomy of Genres was an amazing help. I discovered him on Joanna Penn's podcast The Creative Pen.

There's no denying it. Distractions are distracting, but that doesn't have to slow you down. Here's how, and why, I write with background noise and no longer lock the door when I write.

Are you having trouble connecting to a story? Do the characters seem weak and the story just falls flat? Here's what happened to my first few attempts at the Haint and what I learned about how Theme Guilds everything in the story.

On this episode I talk about some of the things I'm thankful for as they pertain to my writing. I also update my Holiday Gift List for writers.

I thought it would be a waist of time, but the truth is this really helped to dial in my story and show me what was missing. Doing an extended outline (to start off or in the revision process) is a fantastic way to get on track. Listen for details.

It's no secret, the economy is in a down swing. And, 2023 is projected to get worse, but with that comes some amazing opportunity for writers and content creators.

As a new writer, how do you tell if your story should be shared, when it needs more work, or when its time to burry it and move on? This is my experience with it. And, yes I have a trunk book or two that will never see the light of day... Koala with a Pocket Knife. 

Horror Writers! The first draft is done. Now, the real work begins. There's a stack of 200 plus pages, messed up plots, and mid manuscript cast changes - you need to tame this wild best of a "book." It's easy to get overwhelmed in this stage. Here's a quick trick I leaned to stay organized and keep my subsequent drafts on point. 

Worried about how to find an editor. In today's episode, I go over how to find an editor, recap were I've been for the pas few months, and talk about why having the right editor is important.