by Nanci | Feb 26, 2024 | Character, Craft, Plot, Podcast
You want your dialogue to sound natural, like real people talking. But despite your effort, the dialogue still sounds stilted, awkward, and dull. Writing dialogue requires practice. And there are some ways to think about dialogue to help you write it better. In...
by Nanci | Feb 19, 2024 | Character, Craft, Plot, Podcast
Lost in the mess of your draft? Can’t see the forest for the trees? In this episode, learn how to uncomplicate your plot with simple strategies that create more clarity, connection, and depth for you and your readers. Download as an MP3 by right-clicking here...
by Nanci | Dec 4, 2023 | Plot, Podcast
Many writers think plot needs to be something epic and complex. So they chart out every single beat and pinch point. They totally overthink it. And often, the result is a narrative that’s confusing, exhausting to read, and disengaging. But a plot does not have...
by Nanci | Oct 16, 2023 | Character, Plot, Podcast
How do you balance character development with the advancement of your plot? How can you develop characters to even execute your plot, unless you first start out with a plot? The answer is, both character and plot are developed in tandem. Every story, whether...
by Nanci | Oct 2, 2023 | Plot, Podcast
We often talk about creating compelling characters. But characters are defined and revealed in relationship to other characters. So, how do you build captivating character relationships? Great stories are about the relations and interactions between people, and the...
by Nanci | Sep 25, 2023 | Plot, Podcast
In simple terms, dialogue is when two or more characters talk to one another. It’s a compressed way to advance your story. And an economical way to define characters and their relationships to one another. But dialogue is one of the trickiest elements to master....
