Stupid Work Is Stupid
When present me sat down on the couch and opened my computer …. nothing would happen. Planner that I am, I pulled out my calendar and faced the hard truth.
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Writing Believable Characters
Writing Believable Characters I liked the plot, but I just couldn’t get into this book. The main characters weren’t believable. It’s one of those critiques that is hard to counter. An unbelievable character is like a house guest that’s stayed too long, with everyone silently wishing they would leave or at least hide out in…
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Accepting Rejection
Accepting Rejection What comes after the final draft? Years ago, I had the pleasure of hanging out with science fiction author Joan D. Vinge as she regaled us with an account of printing out the final draft for what would be her first published novel, The Snow Queen. It was late at night, in the dead…
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ReTreat Yourself
ReTreat Yourself Last summer, over a year into the pandemic, my writing process got stale. I had started the pandemic with a goal: write my memoir. And I did for the first six months. I wrote daily and deliberately. I hired an editor and signed up for writing workshops. Then the holiday gods convinced me…
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Brainstorming with Bots: The Ethics of AI-Assisted Creativity
Authors & AIEpisode 2: Brainstorming with Bots Can writers harness AI ethically without surrendering the soul of their craft? In our provocative new mini-series, we’re not just theorizing about...
The Writer’s Last Journey: Heroes, AI, and the Future of Writing
Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s JourneyThe Rest of the Book&Introducing our Authors & AI Season Check it Out: The Hero’s Journey Study Guide In this episode, we’re finally putting the...
Getting to the Climax: The Anatomy of Romance Novels with Lia Riley
An Interview with Lia Riley Check it Out: The Hero’s Journey Study Guide Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey insists all stories follow the Hero’s Journey template—but does this actually...
End of the Road: The Last Two Stages of the Hero’s Journey
Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s JourneyStage Eleven: The Resurrection&Stage Twelve: Return with the Elixir Check it Out: The Hero’s Journey Study Guide Just when you thought you had the Hero’s...
Writing the Return Home: More Than Just a Victory Lap
Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s JourneyStage 9: RewardStage 10: The Road Back Check it Out: The Hero’s Journey Study Guide Subscribe to our Newsletter Remember family road trips? When you’re...
Empowering the Powerless: Tim Waggoner’s Tips for Keeping Horror Heroes Active
Empowering the Powerless:Tim Waggoner’s Tips for Keeping Horror Heroes Active Check it Out: The Hero’s Journey Study Guide Horror stories and the hero’s journey – a match made in...
Lost in the Ordeal: Navigating the Hero’s Darkest Hour
Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s JourneyStage Eight: The OrdealStage Nine: The Reward Check it Out: The Hero’s Journey Study Guide Subscribe to our Newsletter Think you know where your hero’s...
Brainstorming with Bots: The Ethics of AI-Assisted Creativity
Authors & AIEpisode 2: Brainstorming with Bots Can writers harness AI ethically without surrendering the soul of their craft?...
The Writer’s Last Journey: Heroes, AI, and the Future of Writing
Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s JourneyThe Rest of the Book&Introducing our Authors & AI Season Check it Out: The Hero’s...
Getting to the Climax: The Anatomy of Romance Novels with Lia Riley
An Interview with Lia Riley Check it Out: The Hero’s Journey Study Guide Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey insists...
End of the Road: The Last Two Stages of the Hero’s Journey
Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s JourneyStage Eleven: The Resurrection&Stage Twelve: Return with the Elixir Check it Out: The Hero’s Journey...
Writing the Return Home: More Than Just a Victory Lap
Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s JourneyStage 9: RewardStage 10: The Road Back Check it Out: The Hero’s Journey Study Guide...
Empowering the Powerless: Tim Waggoner’s Tips for Keeping Horror Heroes Active
Empowering the Powerless:Tim Waggoner’s Tips for Keeping Horror Heroes Active Check it Out: The Hero’s Journey Study Guide Horror...
Lost in the Ordeal: Navigating the Hero’s Darkest Hour
Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s JourneyStage Eight: The OrdealStage Nine: The Reward Check it Out: The Hero’s Journey Study Guide...
The Road to Armageddon: A Workshop with Summer H. Hanford
The Road to ArmageddonAn Interview with Summer H. Hanford Check it Out: The Hero’s Journey Study Guide Subscribe to...
Get Thee Characters to the Cave!
Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s JourneyStage Six: Approach to the Innermost Cave Check it Out: The Hero’s Journey Study Guide...
Fixing the Saggy Middle: A Workshop with Kristen Tate
An Interview with Kristen Tate Check it Out: The Hero’s Journey Study Guide Subscribe to our Newsletter Looking for...
Tests, Allies, and Enemies, Oh My!
Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s JourneyStage Six: Tests, Allies, and Enemies Subscribe to our Newsletter What really happens between “accepting...
Crossing the Threshold
Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s JourneyStage Four: Meeting with the Mentor&Stage Five: Crossing the Threshold Subscribe to our Newsletter So...
Writing Your College Application Essay
In today's episode we take a break from discussing and analyzing creative fiction to examining possibly one of the...
Answering the Call to Adventure
How do you shift your book’s hero from their nice, cozy ordinary world into the adventure? According to Christopher...
Brave New Feedback: When your Critique Partner is a Chatbot
Submitting work to your first workshop or critique group is nerve-wracking – these aren't your supportive friends or family, but strangers with opinions. Yet honest feedback is the lifeblood...