Where do our stories come from? Not just theoretically or archetypally, but for each of us as individuals? From where do our stories—our romances, mysteries, fantasies, dramas, tragedies, and comedies—actually arise? Even when prompted by outer inspiration, they still come from somewhere deep inside of us, from a deeply human connection. And where does this […]
February 23, 2026 by 10 Comments Novel EndingsShould You Tie Up Loose Ends in Your Story—or Leave Them Open?
Are loose ends in fiction a good thing—or a bad thing? The phrase itself sounds accusatory, as if loose ends are something writers ought to apologize for. After all, what else do we do with loose ends but tie them up? And yet, the moment we start tying everything off too neatly, something else often […]
February 16, 2026 by 13 Comments PodcastThe Four-Act Structure and the Circular Shape of Story
When writers start talking about story structure, usually the first things people think of are beats, turning points, and acts. But underneath all of that is a more fundamental question: What is the shape of story itself? Is story fundamentally linear, moving from beginning to middle to end—or does a different pattern emerge? This question […]
February 2, 2026 by 8 Comments Writing InspirationStory as Cosmology: Understanding Story as a Framework for Meaning
As storytellers, we spend our lives thinking about story. How does it work? What makes it resonate? What makes certain narratives feel true while others fall flat? We analyze structure, character arc, theme, and meaning, often with the sense that story is something we are shaping from the outside-in. However, story is not just something […]
January 19, 2026 by 38 Comments Writing InspirationWhy Writers Need a Sense of Wonder in Fiction More Than Ever
We live in a storytelling moment deeply fascinated by darkness—and for good reason. Stories have always descended into shadow to help us metabolize our fear, trauma, and moral failure. They name the monster, bringing it out of the shadows where it can be faced and perhaps integrated or understood. But stories don’t just explore darkness; […]
January 12, 2026 by 6 Comments Plotting Your NovelStory Stakes: When to Reveal Them—and Why Timing Is Everything
Here’s what’s most important for writers to understand about story stakes. Story stakes are what characters stand to lose if they fail—not what they gain if they succeed. Stakes are the emotional cost of the story’s outcome and the primary reason readers care what happens next. Character motivations drive your story. The protagonist’s motivation informs […]
January 5, 2026 by 10 Comments UncategorizedHow My Writing Career Evolved in 2025—and the Author Business I’m Building for 2026
I began the year thinking I knew where I was headed and ended it realizing how my writing career evolved into something I couldn’t have predicted—almost as if something beneath the surface had been quietly rearranging itself all along. The year unfolded as a threshold. It was one of those liminal spaces where the old […]
December 29, 2025 by 5 Comments NewsThe Best of Helping Writers Become Authors in 2025
Welcome to the final post of the year! And what a year it’s been. As I look back on 2025, I’m filled with gratitude for the amazing conversations, creativity, and growth this writing community has shared. For me, this year felt like a time of tying up loose ends and completing long arcs. It was […]
December 22, 2025 by 6 Comments NewsA Christmas Letter to My Fellow Storytellers
Dear Wordplayers, I love this moment in time, as the warmth and blessing of Christmas juxtaposes the deepest darkness of the year. For me, it feels like sitting on a snow-covered hill as night falls. Where I come from, winter nights are a howl of wind and fury, sometimes punctuated by the softness of a […]
December 15, 2025 by 14 Comments Writing InspirationThe Best Books I Read in 2025: My Top Fiction and Nonfiction Picks
Every December, I love looking back at my year in books. My reading always ends up reflecting everything else in my life. It shows what I’m curious about, what’s inspired me, and how I’ve grown. This year, I feel like really got to fall back in love with reading so much more deeply. For the […]
