Quick! You’ve got less than a minute to convince me your story is worth my time. What do you tell me? You’ve got to pique my curiosity with mystery and potential, while still conveying the bulk of the plot, theme, and general tone. “No problem!” you say. But when you sit down to actually figure […]
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 […]
August 30, 2025 by 4 Comments Writer's HelpNew Worksheets for Writers: Fillable PDFs to Spark Your Story
Sometimes the “quick little projects” are the ones that surprise me the most! Back in the spring, I thought it might be fun to put together a few simple printable writing worksheets—something light and easy, just a side project before the second edition of my Structuring Your Novel Workbook comes out this October. Of course, […]
August 11, 2025 by 26 Comments Writer's HelpHow to Start Dictating Fiction (Even If You’ve Tried and Failed Before)
From KMW: I’ve always loved writing by hand. There’s something about the feel of pen on paper that just makes the creative process click for me, especially when outlining and brainstorming. However, between the wrist pain, bad posture, and the fact that I can’t read my own handwriting half the time, I’ll admit there are […]
July 21, 2025 by 20 Comments CharactersWhat Makes a Story “Bad”? A Guide to Why Your Narrative Isn’t Working
We’ve all experienced it: a story that looks good on paper, features big-name characters, or starts with an intriguing premise—but somehow falls flat. Maybe the characters feel hollow, the plot drifts without purpose, or the ending lands with a thud. But what actually makes a story “bad”? Are there pitfalls you can look out for […]
July 14, 2025 by 14 Comments Writer's HelpThe Ultimate Writing Glossary (Story Structure, Character Arcs, and More)
Over the years, I’ve developed a set of terms that have become foundational to how I teach storytelling. A few I’ve coined myself, others I’ve adapted, and some I’ve simply emphasized so frequently they’ve become closely associated with my approach to character arcs, story structure, and theme. Whether you’ve followed my work through this blog […]
July 7, 2025 by 39 Comments Writer's HelpWhy Intentional Storytelling Matters in an Era of AI and Algorithm-Driven Content
These days, it’s easier than ever to write stories that look like stories. I’m talking about stories follow beat sheets, mimic bestselling formulas, and say all the “right” things. But more and more, I see authors tempted to make creative choices based on convenience rather than imagination or integrity. When that happens, we have to […]
February 17, 2025 by 21 Comments Writer's Help5 Proven Ways to Conquer Self-Doubt in Writing
Self-doubt is one of the biggest obstacles a writer will ever face. It creeps in at the worst moments—undermining confidence, stalling progress, and making you question whether your stories are even worth telling. Conquering self-doubt in writing isn’t about eliminating it altogether; it’s about learning to work with it. The key is recognizing self-doubt for […]
February 3, 2025 by 20 Comments Writer's HelpThe Writer’s Road to Creative Burnout Recovery
Creative burnout can feel like a wall between you and your writing goals. Whether it’s the result of stress, distractions, or feeling creatively drained, creative fatigue and even injury is something many modern writers experience. Because writers are generally a solution-forward bunch, we often think we can ten-step our way out of the problem. However, […]
January 13, 2025 by 27 Comments Writer's HelpThe Rules of Fiction: What They Are and What They’re Not
Before I get to today’s post on the rules of fiction… I have to acknowledge the terrible tragedy of the fires in LA this past week. My heart breaks a little more each day. There are so many people affected by this who have impacted my own life in ways large and small. The scale […]
